The failure of antimony electrolytic cells is typically the result of a combination of factors, primarily including the following:

Chemical corrosion: This is the primary cause of failure. Electrolytes (such as concentrated sulfuric acid and hydrofluoric acid) are highly corrosive and cause long-term degradation of equipment materials. For instance, excessive hydrofluoric acid concentration severely corrodes antimony electrodes, while high sulfate concentrations also exacerbate equipment corrosion.

Mechanical wear: Operations such as agitation and gas evolution within the cell, along with the scouring action of the electrolyte, cause physical wear on components like anode plates and seals.

Thermal stress and thermal fatigue: The electrolysis process generates significant heat, causing equipment materials to undergo repeated thermal expansion and contraction. Accumulated thermal stress over time can lead to equipment deformation or even cracking.

Impurity deposition and contamination: Impurities in the electrolyte deposit on equipment surfaces, impairing performance and accelerating aging. Additionally, corrosion products and detached anode sludge contaminate the electrolyte, leading to increased cell voltage and reduced current efficiency.

Anode passivation: This is a common operational issue. A dense oxide film forms on the anode surface, hindering the normal dissolution of antimony. Key triggers include excessive current density, insufficient fluoride ion concentration or free acid levels in the electrolyte, and high impurity content (such as arsenic or bismuth) in the anode plates.

Other factors: Furthermore, improper spacing between the anode and cathode, inadequate control of electrolyte composition (e.g., antimony ion concentration), and design or manufacturing defects in the equipment itself can also lead to the premature failure of antimony electrolytic cells.