Limpact cathodes do not contain dissimilar metal welds. Therefore there is no possibility for galvanic corrosion. The stainless steel cathode plate is welded directly to the bottom of the stainless steel tube encapsulating the hanger bar.

Limpact cathodes utilize a solid copper hanger bar. Corrosion and wear of the solid copper bar are insignificant. In contrast,  hanger bars of competing cathode designs utilizing a thin (2.5 mm thickness) electroplated copper coating on a stainless steel hanger bar is attacked and reduced in thickness by the corrosive conditions and mechanical wear. This reduction in the thickness of the copper coating results in a significant increase in cathode resistance and leads to increased voltage, poor current distribution and lower current efficiency. Cathodes utilizing furnace brazing technologies are also subject for galvanized corrosion.

Explosion bonding is the preferred method for joining dissimilar metals utilized by manufacturers of buss bar systems that transfer large amounts of electrical current between two or more dissimilar metals. The same electrical properties that make explosion bonding attractive to the buss bar industry make it an ideal method of joining copper and stainless steel in the Limpact cathode.

There is virtually no electrical resistance at the interface of the metallurgical bond in a Limpact explosion bonded cathode. In testing done at the independent Ontario Research Foundation, there was no contact resistance found across the bond interface under test conditions with a sensitivity to detect 0.02 micro-ohms/sq.in. Therefore there is reduced power consumption because there is no heat generated by internal resistance of the stainless steel to copper contact. The continuous weld that joins the stainless steel sheet to the stainless steel tube assures optimum electrical conductivity.

The voltage drop along the hanger bar of the Limpact cathode is low due to the large cross-sectional area of the copper in the hanger bar.

Limpact cathodes utilize a solid copper hanger bar. Corrosion and wear of the solid copper bar are insignificant. In contrast, the hanger bars of competing cathode designs utilize a thin (2.5 mm thickness) electroplated copper coating on a stainless steel hanger bar. This thin copper coating is attacked and reduced in thickness by the corrosive conditions and mechanical wear caused by material handling equipment, that are normal in any copper refinery. This reduction in the thickness of the copper coating results in a significant increase in cathode resistance and leads to increased voltage, poor current distribution and lower current efficiency.

The Limpact SST Mother Blank delivers superior performance and operational savings over the life of the Cathode:

• Improved current Distribution
• Reduces Power Consumption-
• No electrical resistance at bond interface – consistent low resistant joint- day 1, year 10, year 20
• No heavy, expensive repair of the hanger bar (competitors hanger bar must be repaired every 5 to 7 years). Limpact hanger bar is good for life- 20+years!
• Limpact EXB Hanger bars not damaged by acid mist
• No galvanic corrosion; no replating of hanger bars; no re-welding of sheet to bar

See why others are switching to the Limpact SST Mother Blank- best in class!! Explosion bonding is the only way to achieve a true metallurgical bond/interface between dissimilar metals.