C25C PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION, RECOVERY OR REFINING OF METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
Introduced: July 1974
Description
C25C covers electrolytic methods and equipment for producing, recovering, or refining metals from ores, scrap, or intermediate compounds through electrochemical reduction or oxidation. This subclass encompasses aqueous and molten salt electrolysis, electrowinning, electrorefining, and electroplating processes applied to ferrous and non-ferrous metals including copper, zinc, nickel, aluminum, and precious metals. Typical apparatus covered include electrolytic cells, cathodes, anodes, electrolytes, and auxiliary equipment for current distribution and process control. Adjacent subclass C25D addresses electroplating and related coating processes, while C25B covers electrolysis of inorganic compounds not primarily directed at metal extraction.
Additional Content IPC
Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical means, e.g. electrolysis electrodes therefor Inhibiting corrosion of metals by anodic or cathodic protection Single crystal growth
IPC and CPC are identically structured here. All 4 subcodes exist in both systems.
3 shared codes have differing titles between IPC and CPC.
IPC defines codes here since 1974.
Child Classifications
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- C25C 1/00 Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of solutions (C25C5/00 takes precedence) since 1974 IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
- C25C 3/00 Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of melts (C25C5/00 takes precedence) since 1974 IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
- C25C 5/00 Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metal powders or porous metal masses since 1974 IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
- C25C 7/00 Constructional parts, or assemblies thereof, of cells; Servicing or operating of cells (for the production of aluminium C25C3/06 - C25C3/22) since 1974 +3 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
Top Applicants
Top Applicants (IPC)
Class C25,2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 1,797
- EBARA CORPORATION JP 729
- CENTRAL SOUTH UNIVERSITY 650
- INDUSTRIE DE NORA IT 641
- ROBERT BOSCH DE 600
- JFE STEEL JP 593
- KMUST (KUNMING UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY) 553
- SIEMENS DE 536
- CEA (COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE) FR 525
- JX NIPPON MINING & METALS CORPORATION 499
Top Applicants (CPC)
Class C25,2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 1,393
- JFE STEEL JP 914
- EBARA CORPORATION JP 738
- INDUSTRIE DE NORA IT 674
- JX NIPPON MINING & METALS CORPORATION JP 652
- NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION JP 633
- CEA (COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE) FR 630
- ROBERT BOSCH DE 626
- SIEMENS DE 587
- ATOTECH DEUTSCHLAND DE 561