Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrolyte and to a method for the electrolytic deposition of silver coatings and silver alloy coatings. The electrolyte according to the invention is cyanide-free, storage-stable and ensures the deposition of high-gloss, brilliant and white silver and silver alloy layers for technical and decorative applications.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an electrolyte which allows for electrolytically producing a black metal layer consisting of rhodium and ruthenium. The present invention also relates to a method for producing a corresponding article, and to the use of the electrolyte.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrolyte containing suitable reducing agents for adjusting the composition of silver-palladium layers. Furthermore, these reducing agents contribute to improving the layer appearance and to increasing the luminance (L value, CIE Lab) of the deposited layers. The present invention also discloses a method for the electrolytic deposition of silver-rich silver-palladium alloys. The alloys can be deposited on conductive surfaces over a wide current density range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrolyte and to a method for the electrolytic deposition of silver-rich silver-palladium alloys which to a minor degree also include selenium and/or tellurium. The electrolyte of the invention allows uniform deposition of such an alloy on conductive surfaces across a wide range of current densities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cyanide-free electrolyte which contains a phosphate and aliphatic or aromatic thio compounds and also to a process for the electrolytic deposition of an alloy of the elements copper and tin and optionally zinc. The electrolyte and the process are characterized in that stannate ions and copper ions and optionally zinc(II) ions and also aliphatic and/or aromatic thio compounds are present in the electrolyte used. The electrolyte can optionally additionally contain carboxylic acids, wetting agents and/or brighteners. The present invention further provides a process for the electrolytic deposition of alloys of copper, tin and optionally zinc on consumer goods and decorative goods using the electrolyte of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrolyte and to a method for the electrolytic deposition of silver-rich silver-palladium alloys which to a minor degree also include selenium and/or tellurium. The electrolyte of the invention allows uniform deposition of such an alloy on conductive surfaces across a wide range of current densities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrolyte for the electrochemical deposition of palladium or palladium alloys on metallic or conductive substrates. The invention likewise relates to a corresponding electroplating process using this electrolyte and specific palladium salts which can be advantageously used in this process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ruthenium electrolyte which is suitable for the deposition of decorative and industrial layers having a particular blackness. The invention further relates to the use of the electrolyte of the invention in a process for the deposition of decorative and industrial layers of ruthenium having a particular blackness (“black ruthenium) on jewelry, decorative goods, consumer goods and industrial articles. The invention therefore likewise relates to corresponding layers and the articles coated in this way. The electrolyte is characterized in that it operates in the weakly acidic to alkaline pH range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anode system for conventional electrolysis cells, a process for the production thereof and its use for the deposition of electrolytic coatings. The anode system is characterized in that the anode (2) is in direct contact with a membrane (3) which completely separates the anode space from the cathode space. This anode system is therefore a direct-contact membrane anode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrolyte and a process for depositing bronze alloys on consumer goods and industrial articles. The electrolyte of the invention comprises, in addition to the metals to be deposited and additives such as wetting agents, complexing agents and brighteners, in particular sulfur compounds which have a positive effect in the corresponding process for the deposition of the bronzes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing palladium complexes. In particular, the present invention relates to a process in which ammoniacal complexes of palladium (hydrogen)carbonate are converted into complexes with oligoamine ligands.

Abstract: In the electroplating of zinc diecastings with a copper layer, the electrolyte penetrates into the pores of the zinc diecasting. When the temperature is increased later, this leads to vaporization of the electrolyte liquid in the pores and to blistering or flaking of the copper layer. It is proposed that plating be carried out in two steps. In the first step, only a thin copper layer of less than 1 ?m is applied and the plated parts are then treated at a temperature which leads to vaporization of the electrolyte liquid. The thin copper layer is still sufficiently porous for the vapour to be able to escape. Only the solid constituents of the electrolyte remain. The copper layer is then thickened to a final thickness of from about 20 to 30 ?m. In this plating step, electrolyte liquid no longer penetrates into the pores of the zinc diecasting. The parts which are coated in this way display no blistering or flaking of the copper layer after storage at a temperature of 150° C.

Abstract: Consumer goods and industrial articles are electro-plated with bronze layers for decorative reasons and to protect them against corrosion. The electrolytes used hitherto for producing decorative bronze layers are either cyanide-containing or, as in the case of baths based on organosulphonic acids, highly corrosive or have, as in the case of cyanide-free baths based on diphosphoric acid, unsatisfactory long-term stabilities. Electrolytes which are used for applying solderable bronze layers in the electronics industry usually contain toxic or very toxic thio compounds. The present invention provides a non-toxic electrolyte which displays long-term stability for the electrolytic deposition of decorative bronze layers and a corresponding process for the application of such decorative bronze layers to consumer goods and industrial articles.

Abstract: The present invention describes an exhaust-gas purification system for an internal combustion engine made of an oxidation catalyst arranged close to the engine, a subsequent hydrocarbon adsorber and a particulate filter arranged downstream thereof and provided with another oxidation catalyst. The oxidation catalyst ensures that emission limits with respect to carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons are satisfied in normal driving mode. During operating states with exhaust-gas temperatures below about 200° C., the oxidation catalyst can no longer oxidize carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. Instead, the hydrocarbons are adsorbed by the hydrocarbon adsorber during these operating phases. In order to initiate the periodical regeneration of the particulate filter, the exhaustgas temperature of the internal combustion engine is raised by engine modifications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochemical process for the deposition of coatings comprising an alloy of platinum and rhodium on, in particular, decorative articles. The process of the invention is characterized in that defined conditions are employed under which the electrolytically deposited layer has, contrary to expectations, a high whiteness which comes extraordinarily close to the appearance of silver.

Abstract: Consumer goods and industrial articles are electroplated with bronze layers for decorative purposes and for protection against corrosion. The electrolytes used hitherto for producing decorative bronze layers are cyanide-containing or, as in the case of baths based on organosulfonic acids, highly corrosive, or, as in the case of cyanide-free baths based on diphosphoric acid, give unsatisfactory brightness and shine. The present invention provides a nontoxic electrolyte for the electrochemical deposition of uniformly bright and shiny bronze layers and a corresponding process for the application of such decorative bronze layers to consumer goods and industrial articles, by means of which relatively thick bronze layers can also be deposited electrochemically in a satisfactory way.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modified copper-tin electrolyte which is free of toxic constituents such as cyanides or thio compounds. The invention further relates to a process for the deposition of decorative bronze layers on consumer goods and industrial articles using the electrolyte of the invention. The electrolyte comprises an additive formed from epichlorohydrin and hexamethylenetetramine and contains carbonate or hydrogencarbonate ions.

Abstract: Copper conductor tracks of circuit boards require a coating which has good corrosion resistance and is suitable for multiple solderability and bondability to enable them to be provided with electronic components. These properties are fulfilled by a layer system which has an intermediate layer of autocatalytically deposited nickel on which a palladium layer has been deposited by charge exchange. To ensure reliable adhesive strength, low porosity and a good homogeneity, the bath for deposition of the palladium layer contains a copper compound. To passivate the palladium layer, the layer system can be provided with a final layer of gold deposited by charge exchange and/or autocatalytically.

Abstract: The invention concerns a bath for the electrochemical deposition of high-gloss white rhodium coatings and a whitening agent for the same. The brightness or degree of whiteness of the deposited coatings is significantly increased by means of compounds having the formula R—SOm—H, wherein m is the numbers 3 or 4 and R is a straight-chain or branched chain or cyclic alkyl group having up to 20 C atoms, as a whitening agent. The thickness of the coating that can be deposited without a bloom is also significantly increased.

Abstract: The invention provides an acid bath for the electrodeposition of glossy gold and gold alloy layers and a gloss additive for same. By using compounds of the formula I R—SOm—H  (I) in which m is the number 3 or 4 and R represents a straight-chain or branched or cyclic alkyl group with up to 20 carbon atoms and, in the event that m=4, also an aryl or heteroaryl group with up to 10 carbon atoms, which may be optionally substituted once or several times with straight-chain or branched alkyl groups with 1 to 14 carbon atoms, as a further gloss additive, the current density/working range is extended with a small negative effect when the pH is changed and the current efficiency and deposition performance is increased.