Abstract: An additive composition is described with comprises a mixture of(a) poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone), and p0 (b) at least one sulfur-containing compound selected from compounds of the formulaeRS(R'O).sub.n H (I)orS--[(R'O).sub.n H].sub.2 (II)wherein R is hydrogen or an alkyl group containing up to about 24 carbon atoms, each R' is independently an alkylene group containing 2 or 3 carbon atoms, and each n is independently an integer of from 1 to about 100.This additive composition is useful in acidic plating baths containing zinc or a mixture of zinc ions and at least one additional metal selected from nickel and cobalt. The plating baths also contain chloride ions or a mixture of chloride and sulfate ions.

Abstract: An aqueous acidic zinc-nickel plating bath is described. The plating baths generally comprise(A) zinc ions;(B) nickel ions;(C) an amount, sufficient to provide a level and bright zinc-nickel alloy electrodeposit, of at least one polymeric sulfur-containing compound having the general formulaRS(R'O).sub.n H (I)orS-[(R'O).sub.n H]2 (II)wherein r is an alkyl group containing up to about 24 carbon atoms, each R' is independently an alkylene group containing 2 or 3 carbon atoms, and each n is independently an integer of from 1 to about 100; and(D) a ductility-improviding amount of at least one acetylenic derivative obtained by sulfonating an intermediate obtained by(D-1) reacting an acetylenic alcohol or diol with a halogenated epoxide; or(D-2) reacting an acetylenic alcohol or diol with an alkylene oxide followed by reaction with a halogenated epoxide.Preferably, additional additives are included in the plating baths to improve the properties of the deposited alloy.

Abstract: Cadmium electroplating baths are described which contain at least one thiourea compound having the general formula:[R.sub.2 N].sub.2 CS (I)wherein each R is independently hydrogen or an alkyl, alkenyl or aryl group. The baths also can contain at least one phosphate, carboxylate, sulfonate or sulfate compound containing one or more alkylene oxide groups containing 2 or 3 carbon atoms and wherein at least one of the alkylene oxide groups in the sulfates is attached to an aryl group, and at least one organic brightener compound and particularly non-sulfur containing compounds such as pyridine brightener compounds.

Abstract: Cadmium electroplating baths are described which contain as a brightening agent, pyridine compounds having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are each independently hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, alkene, mercapto, amino, halogen, aryl, arylalkyl, aminoalkyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, cyano, dialkylamide, aldoxime, pyrolidinyl groups and the corresponding N-oxide compounds. Semi-bright to bright level cadmium coatings are obtained with these baths.

Abstract: An aqueous acidic plating bath for the electrodeposition of a bright zinc deposit on a substrate is disclosed and comprises zinc ions, ammonium ions and at least one aromatic sulfonic acid or salt having the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are each independently hydrogen or lower alkyl groups,X is hydrogen, ammonia or any metal with the proviso that the metal sulfonate is soluble in the bath, andA is a saturated, unsaturated or aromatic ring.Additionally, the plating baths of the invention may contain aromatic carbonyl-containing compounds and particularly aromatic aldehydes containing at least one halogen substituent. Polyoxyalkylated naphthols and polyalkylene glycol ethers as well as poly(alkyleneimines) also are contemplated as being useful in the plating baths of the invention. Methods for depositing a bright zinc coating over a wide range of current densities, and additive compositions for preparing plating baths useful in these methods also are described.

Abstract: An aqueous acid plating bath for electrodeposition of tin, lead or tin-lead alloys on a substrate is described and comprises at least one metal salt selected from the group consisting of a stannous salt, a lead salt or a mixture of stannous and lead salts, and as a brightener agent, an effective amount of at least one alkoxylated amine of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is a fatty acid alkyl group containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms,R.sup.1 is an alkylene radical containing up to about 5 carbon atoms,R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each independently an ethylene or propylene group,A is 0 or 1, andX, y and z are each independently integers from 1 to about 30, and the sum of x, y, and z is an integer of from about 2 to about 50.Methods for the electrodeposition of tin, lead, or tin-lead alloys from such baths as well as additive compositions for forming the baths also are described.