Abstract: A water-based composition for post-treatment of metal surfaces, preferably a silver or silver alloy surface, including: an alkanethiol an anionic, cationic, non-ionic, amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactant with a HLB value of 12 to 18, a compound of the general formula I: wherein R1 is —H, —CH3, —C2H5, —(C2H4O)p—H, —(C2H4O)p—CH3, —(C2H4O)p—CH(CH3)2, —(C2H4)p—C(CH3)3, wherein p is 1 to 20, R2 is H, or CH3 n is an integer in the range of 0 to 3, m is an integer in the range of 0 to 2.

Abstract: A method for electrodepositing a metal layer from an electrolytic bath is described, wherein the concentrations of at least two components of the electrolytic bath are monitored by carrying out the following steps: (a) a sample is taken from the electrolytic bath; (b) the sample is supplied to a column for solid phase extraction, which contains a solid sorbent material; (c) the column is subjected to a washing procedure with a first eluent, wherein the at least two components remain on the column, and undesired components are eluted from the column; (d) the at least two components are eluted from the column by a second eluent; (e) the concentrations of the at least two components in the eluate obtained in step (d) are determined without separating the components from each other. In this method the use of poly(divinyl benzene-co-N-vinyl pyrrolidone) for solid phase extraction is particularly advantageous.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aqueous post-treatment compositions and an immersion and/or electrolytical process using said compositions for corrosion protection of metal and/or metal alloy surfaces. The aqueous post-treatment compositions comprise at least one polysiloxane betaine compound and at least one phosphorus containing compound.

Abstract: A method for electrodepositing a metal layer from an electrolytic bath is described, wherein the concentrations of at least two components of the electrolytic bath are monitored by carrying out the following steps: (a) a sample is taken from the electrolytic bath; (b) the sample is supplied to a column for solid phase extraction, which contains a solid sorbent material; (c) the column is subjected to a washing procedure with a first eluent, wherein the at least two components remain on the column, and undesired components are eluted from the column; (d) the at least two components are eluted from the column by a second eluent; (e) the concentrations of the at least two components in the eluate obtained in step (d) are determined without separating the components from each other. In this method the use of poly(divinyl benzene-co-N-vinyl pyrrolidone) for solid phase extraction is particularly advantageous.