Find Reliable Current Density Sensors for Aluminum Foil Treatment

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding a reliable supplier for current density sensors, specifically Hall sensors, to measure current density in a tank used for treating aluminum foil in the production of electrolytic capacitors. Participants explore the technical requirements and challenges associated with measuring current density in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks guidance on suppliers for current density probes suitable for measuring in a tank where aluminum foil is treated.
  • Another participant requests more details about the setup, including whether the current density is DC or AC, and the frequency range if AC is involved.
  • A participant explains the need to measure current density to understand the current on the surface of the foil, noting that Hall probes were historically used for this purpose.
  • There is a suggestion that measuring overall current flow and dividing by area could be an alternative approach, questioning whether current density varies in different areas of the tank.
  • One participant mentions the use of Hall sensors to avoid disturbing the currents, proposing a design involving a waterproof Hall current sensor probe.
  • Another participant references the definition of current density in electroplating as amps per square inch and shares links to outdated suppliers and a patent related to current density measurement.
  • A participant shares an experience from an industrial electroplating facility, suggesting that uniform current density is important for consistent film deposition and asking for more details about the tank geometry.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints on the measurement techniques and the importance of current density uniformity, but no consensus is reached on the best approach or supplier for the sensors.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the historical use of Hall probes and the potential challenges in measuring current density accurately, including the need for waterproofing and the geometry of the tank setup.

maconga
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Hi all, don't know if this is the appropiated place to search. I am trying to find a supplier for a current density probe (Hall sensor or similar) to measure the current density in a tank where an aluminum foil is treated to form electrolitical capacitor.
Im searching for this in Europe and USA but can't find the supplier.
Could someone guide me please on this topic?
Thank you in advance
 
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maconga said:
Hi all, don't know if this is the appropiated place to search. I am trying to find a supplier for a current density probe (Hall sensor or similar) to measure the current density in a tank where an aluminum foil is treated to form electrolitical capacitor.
Im searching for this in Europe and USA but can't find the supplier.
Could someone guide me please on this topic?
Thank you in advance
Welcome to the PF. :smile:

Can you give more details about the setup, and maybe post a couple pictures? (Use the UPLOAD button to attach pictures)

Is this a DC current density, or AC too? If AC is involved, what frequency range?
 
berkeman said:
Welcome to the PF. :smile:

Can you give more details about the setup, and maybe post a couple pictures? (Use the UPLOAD button to attach pictures)

Is this a DC current density, or AC too? If AC is involved, what frequency range?

Hi Berkeman, thanks very much for replying,
The idea is to measure the density of current flowing in the solution during the process between foil and cathode by introducing a Hall probe (dont know why a Hall probe and not just an ammeter) into the solution.
We treat an etched aluminum foil in a few tanks with solution where we apply certain voltage.
I need to know which is the current density in the solution so we can know the current on the surface foil.
Many years ago we they used to work with Hall probes.
What we have in the tanks is a DC current density. The electricity from the transformers is AC but it’s converted into DC when it’s supplied to the machines.
As you can notice I am not a specialist at all in this field, but I was given this topic and can't find any supplier :/
Thanks for your support.
 
maconga said:
Hi Berkeman, thanks very much for replying,
The idea is to measure the density of current flowing in the solution during the process between foil and cathode by introducing a Hall probe (dont know why a Hall probe and not just an ammeter) into the solution.
We treat an etched aluminum foil in a few tanks with solution where we apply certain voltage.
I need to know which is the current density in the solution so we can know the current on the surface foil.
Many years ago we they used to work with Hall probes.
What we have in the tanks is a DC current density. The electricity from the transformers is AC but it’s converted into DC when it’s supplied to the machines.
As you can notice I am not a specialist at all in this field, but I was given this topic and can't find any supplier :/
Thanks for your support.
Can you just measure the overall flow and divide by the area? Or is the current density different in different areas of the tank, and that's what you want to map out?

I think you would use the Hall sensor because it would disturb the currents to try to use any conductive ammeter arrangement.

I'm not sure how to waterproof it, but I think the basic idea would be to use a Hall current sensor probe like the one below, and have a short straw or similar through the center hole to let the current flow through to be measured...

http://www.alliedelec.com/images/products/Small/70282708.jpg
70282708.jpg
 
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I think in electroplating current density refers to amps per square inch of the object being plated.

Like you i can only find references to companies that don't seem to exist anymore.

https://www.openfos.com/supply/2509245-INDUSTRIAL-INSTRUMENTS-in-Newport-News-VA/
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PLATING-CURRENT-DENSITY-MICRO-OHM-METER-/231205023788Here's an old patent for such a meter, based on ohm's law.
US003347770

http://pdfpiw.uspto.gov/.piw?PageNu...BPN/A000000%26RS=PN/3347770%2BOR%2BPN/A000000
 
berkeman said:
Can you just measure the overall flow and divide by the area?
I once visited an industrial electroplating concern who used rectangular tanks with planar electrodes on opposite sides, so as to produce uniform current density J. This makes sense, since any non-uniform J would deposit a film that varies with position. Accordingly, berkeman's suggesting would work well.

berkeman said:
Or is the current density different in different areas of the tank, and that's what you want to map out?
This is the key question. Please provide details of your geometry.
 
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