Electrochemical process using current density controlling techniques

Abstract

An electrochemical process using current density controlling techniques is disclosed. In the electrochemical process of this invention, a carbon cathode rod activated with a negative voltage and an electrode activated with a positive voltage are sunk into an electrolyte contained in a container, and so the electrode is electrochemically etched while properly controlling both the metal ion dissolving rate and the metal ion diffusing rate of the electrode by controlling the amount of applied current to maintain the two rates at a desired balance. This process thus creates a diffusion effect thickening the tip of the cylindrical electrode, and compensates for a conventional geometric effect sharpening the tip of the electrode. Therefore, this process produces a precise product having a uniform diameter along its length. In the electrochemical process of this invention, the electrode is ultrasonically washed on its surface with both acetone and distilled water before the process so as to remove impurities from the surface of the electrode. In addition, the electrolyte is a potassium hydroxide solution having a molar density of 402dc#6 M.