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Copper is the most extensively used metal in electrodeposition with an estimated
world-wide consumption of 85,000 tonnes per annum of which 80,000 tonnes is electroformed foil consumed in the manufacture
of printed circuit board laminate.
Copper is described as a soft, pink, ductile metal with high thermal and electrical
conductivity. It has limited use as a decorative coating but is widely used as a base coat for further plating finishes e.g.
chromium plated zinc based die castings and as an electronic screening material.
The original electroforms produced between 1840 and 1900 were mainly artifacts
and printing plates (known as "electrotypes"). The artifacts were generally reproductions for museum and notable collections
in a bid to preserve the designs for posterity and as educational tools. Although a limited number of copper electroforms
are still produced today for the same reasons, the predominant use of copper electroforms is in the manufacture of a wide
range of industrial products including spark erosion electrodes, wave guides and cavities for microwave devices as well as
tools for producing protective gloves and musical instrument components.
The range of applications is increasing rapidly, particularly for short and
medium production runs, due to the major advantage of low tooling costs. | 
