Abstract: An electrode for the production of gas in an electrolytic cell of the membrane type with substantially vertical electrodes. The electrode is a substantially vertical conducting plate having a horizontal zone for connecting it to a current lead and is pierced by apertures for the evolution of a gas. Oblique vanes project from the plate opposite the apertures. The apertures are substantially vertically extending slots and the vanes are elongated extending from an active face of the electrode and are arranged adjacent the vertical slots.

Abstract: Diaphragms for a cell, in which the electrolysis of an aqueous solution of an alkali metal is carried out, having good permeability, shape and dimensional stability and good wettability characteristics with respect to the electrolyte are disclosed as well as a method for the manufacture thereof. The diaphragms are composed of a mixed sheet of a substantially homogeneous mixture of amphibole asbestos fibers and polyvinylidene fluoride fibrils connected together. To manufacture the diaphragms, an intimate mixture of polyvinylidene fluoride fibrils and amphibole asbestos is formed into a sheet and the sheet is heated to cause surface fusion of the fibrils.