Process for electroplating a metallic surface and electrolytic cell therefor.

摘要

An anodic unit (7) of an electrolysis cell for the continuous coating of a metal surface such as a steel sheet, in which the cathode (3) consists of the product to be coated, and comprising a cation exchange membrane (4b) defining an anodic compartment (5b) and a cathodic compartment (6b). This anodic unit consists of a casing comprising at least one anodic basket (8) ensuring the electrical connection of the anodic unit. Means are provided for keeping the said anodic basket in continuous contact with at least one block (9) of the metal(s) to be deposited on the cathode, which dissolve in the electrolyte, and means are provided to permit the introduction of these blocks into the anodic basket. The invention also relates to a process for continuous electrolytic coating of a metallic material, the said coating comprising a number n of elements which can be applied by means of n electrolysis cells comprising a cation exchange membrane and in which the anodic units may be of the above type. The invention makes it possible to obtain a stationary state of composition both of the anolyte and of the catholyte while keeping the distance between the electrodes constant in order to ensure the constancy of the composition of the coating of the product. It also allows rapid changes in the nature of the coating to be deposited.