Abstract: Apparatus for use in a continuous electrochemical treating line and a method for electrochemically treating at least one surface of a continuous web moving through an electrolyte solution contained within a tank. The apparatus includes at least one electrode extending across the surface of the continuous web in combination with at least two rigid, non-conductive, and non-polar bumper devices also extending the continuous web surface. The bumper devices include a slick contact surface positioned against the continuous web surface at spaced apart locations that prevent the continuous web from moving outside a pass-line through the electrolyte solution and arcing against the electrode. The bumper devices may comprise either a bumper strip or a conduit.

Abstract: A resilient dielectric wiper blade is mounted between electrodes and a workpiece, particularly in an anodizing operation, to wipe bubbles of oxygen from the anodic work surface, to remove a surface layer of excessively heated electrolytic solution and replace with fresh cooler solution, and in the case of flexible strip processing, to stabilize the strip between cathodes. The resilient dielectric wiper blade is preferably used with perforated electrodes to facilitate removal of overheated electrolytic solution and replace with freshly circulated solution.

Abstract: A resilient dielectric wiper blade is mounted between electrodes and a workpiece, particularly in an anodizing operation, to wipe bubbles of oxygen from the anodic work surface, to remove a surface layer of excessively heated electrolytic solution and replace with fresh cooler solution, and in the case of flexible strip processing, to stabilize the strip between cathodes. The resilient dielectric wiper blade is preferably used with perforated electrodes to facilitate removal of overheated electrolytic solution and replace with freshly circulated solution.

Abstract: A continuous strip is electrolytically coated in an electrolytic coating bath using a thin flexible or resilient dielectric wiping blade to wipe bubbles of hydrogen from the surface, sever dendritic material, if such is present as the coating thickens, and to remove a surface layer of partially depleted electrolytic solution, replacing with fresh solution and to stabilize strip portions extending between support rolls. The resilient dielectric wiper blade is preferably used with perforated anodes which allow fresh electrolytic solution to flow into the space between the anodes and the strip surface after being expelled by passage of the strip past the wiping blade. The orifices in the anode may be differentially sized to eliminate cavitation behind the wiping blades. The wiping blades may be chevron shaped to increase the wiping effect and pumps may be used to increase the flow of electrolytic solution into and out of the space between the anodes and the strip.

Abstract: Thick layers of hard dense chromium coatings are formed on metal substrates by an electrolytic brush plating operation in which a lead-tin anode is closely positioned to a cathodic workpiece in full anode wrap relationship and the surface of the cathodic workpiece is wiped by an open construction wiper to remove hydrogen bubbles and/or outwardly extending dendritic coating material with minimum contact with and force upon the coating surface. The open wiper construction allows free access to the coated surface at all times of fresh undepleted coating electrolyte and allows hydrogen bubbles and dendritic material to be discharged unimpeded from the wiper structure.