Titanium Electrodes: Properties and Applications

The Critical Role of Titanium Electrodes

Titanium electrodes are vital in electrochemical industries like chlor-alkali production, electroplating, water treatment, and cathodic protection, offering exceptional corrosion resistance, conductivity (when coated), and mechanical strength.

Understanding Titanium Electrodes

Titanium’s passive oxide layer makes it an ideal substrate for catalytic coatings like Mixed Metal Oxides (MMO), enabling efficient electrochemical reactions.

Key Characteristics and Advantages

• Exceptional Corrosion Resistance: Prevents degradation in chloride solutions, ensuring process purity.

• High Electrocatalytic Activity: MMO coatings promote efficient reactions with low overpotential.

• Dimensional Stability: Maintains shape for consistent performance.

• Lightweight and Strong: Facilitates easy handling and installation.

• Long Service Life: Reduces maintenance costs and downtime.

• Energy Efficiency: Lowers operational costs and environmental impact.

Applications of Titanium Electrodes

Chlor-Alkali Industry

• Chlorine and Caustic Soda Production: DSAs with RuO2-IrO2 coatings for efficient brine electrolysis.

Water Treatment and Environmental Protection

• Electrolytic Water Disinfection: Generates hypochlorite for safe water treatment.

• Wastewater Treatment: Degrades organic pollutants in advanced oxidation processes.

• Electrochemical Desalination: Supports salt removal for fresh water production.

Electroplating and Metal Recovery

• Precious Metal Plating: Ensures uniform deposition of gold, silver, and other metals.

• Base Metal Plating: Durable in nickel, copper, and zinc plating baths.

• Electrowinning and Electrorefining: High-purity metal recovery.

Cathodic Protection

• Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP): Protects pipelines and offshore structures.

Other Applications

• Electrochemical Synthesis: Produces organic and inorganic chemicals.

• Fuel Cells: Utilizes titanium’s corrosion resistance.

Types and Specifications of Titanium Electrodes

Common Electrode Types

Forms and Configurations

• Plates/Sheets: For parallel plate reactors.

• Meshes/Grids: High surface area for high current density.

• Rods/Bars: For specific cell designs.

• Tubes: For concentric configurations.

• Custom Designs: Tailored shapes and coatings.

Standards and Grades

• ASTM B265: Plate, sheet, and strip substrates.

• ASTM B348: Bar and billet substrates.

• ASTM B338: Seamless and welded tube substrates.

• Grades: Grade 1, Grade 2 for corrosion resistance.

Advanced Manufacturing and Quality Assurance

Manufacturing Processes

• Substrate Preparation: Cleaning and roughening for coating adhesion.

• Coating Application: Thermal decomposition, electroplating, or plasma spraying.

• Thermal Treatment: Enhances coating adhesion and properties.

• Custom Fabrication: Precision cutting and forming for complex geometries.

Quality Control and Testing

• Coating Adhesion Test: Ensures bond strength.

• Electrochemical Performance: Measures overpotential and efficiency.

• Coating Analysis: Verifies thickness and composition.

• Visual and Dimensional Checks: Ensures defect-free electrodes.

• Corrosion Resistance Testing: Confirms performance in aggressive environments.

• Full Traceability: Tracks materials and processes.

Partnering for Success

Collaborative Engineering and Customization

• Application-Specific Design: Optimized electrodes for specific processes.

• Problem-Solving Expertise: Troubleshoots and enhances performance.

• Prototyping and Scaling: Supports design to production.

Value-Added Services

• Technical Consultation: Advice on electrode selection and optimization.

• Refurbishment and Recoating: Extends electrode life.

• Logistics and Supply Chain: Timely global delivery.

The Standard Titanium Co. Advantage

Standard Titanium Co. offers superior performance, extended service life, and tailored solutions through advanced manufacturing and rigorous quality control.