,,,,,,memoir Naomie 2026 09 23 062627

This study addresses the premature degradation of 316L stainless steel permanent cathodes and the significant reduction in the service life of their side insulating strips (blinks) within the EW2 electro-winning cellhouse. The structural integrity of these polymeric borders is essential to prevent parasitic copper deposition and ensure clean mechanical peeling. The infiltration of electrolyte under damaged insulators causes pitting corrosion of the metal substrate, deformation of the borders, and the production of copper sheets that do not meet commercial specifications. An increase in the frequency of replacement of this equipment and the decline in current efficiency directly degrade the economic profitability of the circuit. To determine the root causes of this dysfunction, a Principal Components Analysis (PCA) was conducted on 32 operating variables measured daily over 90 days. The first factorial plan accounts for 48.18% of the overall variability of the system. Dimension 1 (32.86% of the variance) highlights the combined action of metal impurities (Fe, Mn), instability of the equivalent acid, and the occurrence of short circuits. The analysis reveals that control of cathode degradation requires strict monitoring of impurity purges, stabilization of free acidity, and standardization of re-energization procedures after maintenance.