Cathodes
The cathode is the basic product of copper production. It is produced in a marketable form at Aurubis for use in high-quality applications.
A cathode – a 50 to 80 kg copper square – is produced when pure copper separates from unwrought copper in an electrolytic refining process. Aurubis produces about 1.2 million t of cathodes with a copper content of at least 99.99 % per year in Germany (Hamburg, Lünen), Belgium (Olen) and Bulgaria (Pirdop)
Aurubis cathodes are produced with ISA Technology and comply with the cathode standards LME Grade A, Cu-CATH-1 (EN 1978) and Copper Cathodes Grade 1 (ASTM B115). Aurubis cathode production sites are all certified in accordance with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.
Copper cathodes with specific maximum impurity levels are also registered and traded on the London Metal Exchange and the Comex. High-quality copper is distinguished by low impurity levels, as even the smallest amounts of selenium, bismuth or antimony in the ppm range can strongly influence conductivity.
The Aurubis copper cathode brands NA-ESN, HK, OLEN and PIRDOP are registered on the LME and have a very high level of purity and constant quality, regardless of the input materials. These cathodes form the basis for our high-quality copper products.
Dimensions of Aurubis cathodes
|
|
NA-ESN |
HK |
OLEN |
PIRDOP |
|
Length (approx.) |
965 mm |
1060 mm |
1005 mm |
1000 mm |
|
Width (approx.) |
975 mm |
906 mm |
995 mm |
1020 mm |
|
Thickness (ca.) |
5-10 mm |
5-10 mm |
5-10 mm |
5-10 mm |
|
Weight (approx.) |
50-70 kg |
50-70 kg |
50-70 kg |
50-80 kg |
Analysis of NA-ESN, HK, OLEN and PIRDOP cathodes
|
Pb |
Bi |
As |
Sb |
Sn |
Zn |
Fe |
Ni |
Co |
Cr |
Cd |
Mn |
Se |
Te |
Ag |
S |
|
<1 |
<0.5 |
1 |
1 |
<1 |
<1 |
<2 |
1 |
<1 |
<1 |
<1 |
<1 |
<0.5 |
<0.5 |
10-17 |
<5 |
(Data in ppm)
These cathode brands comply with the cathode standards ASTM B 115, Grade 1, DIN EN 1978 and Cu-KATH-1.
Aurubis cathode production sites are all certified in accordance with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.
Cathodes
Brands:
NA-ESN, HK, OLEN and PIRDOP
Applications:
The cathode is the basic product of copper production and the starting material for processing copper into high-quality products with a copper content of at least 99.99 %.
Did you know …?
... Aurubis was the first company worldwide to use a tankhouse to produce cathodes on an industrial scale in 1876?
Your Contacts
Martin Sjöberg
Dr. Jürgen Schmidt
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