Abstract: An electrolytic composition for the deposition of a matt metal layer onto a substrate and deposition process where the composition comprises a source of metal from the group consisting of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, In, Sn, Sb, Re, Pt, Au, Bi, and combinations thereof; a substituted or unsubstituted polyalkylene oxide or its derivative as an emulsion and/or dispersion former; and a compound comprising fluorated or perfluorated hydrophobic chains or which is a polyalkylene oxide substituted quaternary ammonium compound as wetting agent; wherein the electrolytic composition forms a microemulsion and/or dispersion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus involving at least two distinct adsorbent media for adsorptive removal of impurities from a metal deposition composition such as an electroless or electrolytic deposition composition.

Abstract: In the plating of non-conductive substrates, a metal-salt solution for treatment of such a substrate having been treated with a metal colloid for activation, and associated method for coating non-conductive substrates, characterized by reduced incrustation the associated equipment; the metal-salt solution comprising a metal that can be reduced by the metal of the metal colloid, a complexing agent, and a metal salt having a metal of the group consisting of lithium, sodium, calcium, rubidium, and cesium in the form of a salt selected from the group consisting of fluorides, chlorides, iodides, bromides, nitrates, sulphates, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Method and plating bath apparatus for setting the ionic strength of a plating composition using Donnan dialysis by flowing the plating composition along a first surface of a membrane while simultaneously flowing a deposition metal ion exchange composition along a second surface of the membrane such that the deposition metal ion crosses the membrane from the deposition metal ion exchange composition to the plating composition while an exchange cation different from the deposition metal ion crosses the membrane from the plating composition to the deposition metal ion exchange composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insoluble anode for electrolytic plating, the insoluble anode having two or more phases comprising an anode base body and a screen wherein the anode base body of steel, stainless steel, nickel, nickel alloy, cobalt, and cobalt alloy.

Abstract: A method for metallizing plastic surfaces in which sulfides or polysulfides of activator metal are reduced to metal. This results in a conductive layer on which a metal layer can then be directly electrolytically deposited.

Abstract: A method for the regeneration of an electrolyte bath used for an electroless metallization process. A partial flow of electrolyte is removed from the process vessel and regenerated by dialysis or electrodialysis. Metallization components are replenished. The partial flow is returned to the process vessel.

Abstract: A method for depositing metal matte layers free of nickel and chromium(VI).

Abstract: A method for the selective or complete rendering inert of substrates, workpieces, and components of the apparatus in the chemical deposition of metals by depositing nonreactive coatings thereon. A coating which is nonreactive with respect to the subsequent plating is electrolytically deposited on the sites of the substrate which are not to be plated from a solution containing an activator and an electrolyte. The inert, nonreactive coating is removable by means of dilute acids or alkaline media, without manual effort, after the subsequent chemical plating of the substrates, workpieces, or unit parts.

Abstract: A process for the metallization of a plastic surface, whereby the following process steps are performed in sequence, one after another. The plastic surface is subjected to an etching treatment under mild etching conditions. Subsequently, the plastic surface is treated with a metal salt solution, containing at least one salt from the group consisting of a cobalt salt, a silver salt, a tin salt, and a lead salt. The plastic surface is treated with a sulfide solution. Finally, the plastic surface is metallized in a metallizing bath.

Abstract: A process for the metallization of a plastic surface, whereby the following process steps are performed in sequence, one after another. The plastic surface is subjected to an etching treatment under mild etching conditions. Subsequently, the plastic surface is treated with a metal salt solution, containing at least one salt from the following group: cobalt salt, silver salt, tin salt, and lead salt. The plastic surface is treated with a sulfide solution. Finally, the plastic surface is metallized in a metallizing bath.

Abstract: A method of purifying an electrolyte by bringing the electrolyte into contact with a first effective surface of a separating unit that is permeable to contaminants to be removed from the electrolyte, and bringing a purifying liquid into contact with a second effective surface of the separating unit. A concentration level of contaminants in the purifying liquid is maintained to maintain a contaminant driving force gradient between the electrolyte and the purifying liquid so contaminants transfer from the electrolyte into the purifying liquid. An apparatus for purifying an electrolyte having a first volumetric region for holding the electrolyte, a second volumetric region for holding a purifying liquid, and a separating unit that is permeable to the contaminants to be removed from the electrolyte and which fluidically separates the first and second volumetric regions.