Development of electroforming process to construction of TWT helix

The present paper presents results obtained in experiments of copper electrodeposition from an acid copper (II) sulfate bath in order to obtain a copper pipe to be used as a traveling-wave tube helix. Experimental parameters as density current, concentrations of components of the bath, agitation, temperature and additives, were studies and results obtained show that to ensure the efficiency of the electroforming process is fundamental the rigorous control of all these variables. The copper cathode with the characteristics required was obtained in the following condition: density current 1.2 A dm/sup -2/, room temperature, agitation, addition to the bath of 90 mg L/sup -1/ of NaCl and 0.5 g L/sup -1/ of glue (organic substance). The deposit of copper obtained in this condition was homogeneous without blanks and enough thickness.