Abstract: For fast and secure determination of the quality of a metal coating as well as of an electrolyte for depositing a metal, in particular for electrolytic deposition of nickel such as of semi-gloss nickel and bright nickel and for analytical control of the deposition electrolyte, a method of inspecting a metal coating is provided, which involves the following method steps: a) depositing the metal coating from a deposition electrolyte onto a working electrode; b) electrolytically dissolving the metal coating through anodic polarization of the working electrode with respect to a counter electrode, which is in electrolytic contact with the working electrode; c) recording an electrical dissolution potential at the working electrode over time, said potential occurring during a dissolution of the metal coating; and d) determining a time-averaged vale of the dissolution potential.

Abstract: For fast and secure determination of the quality of a metal coating as well as of an electrolyte for depositing a metal, in particular for electrolytic deposition of nickel such as of semi-gloss nickel and bright nickel and for analytical control of the deposition electrolyte, a method of inspecting a metal coating is provided, which involves the following method steps: a) depositing the metal coating from a deposition electrolyte onto a working electrode; b) electrolytically dissolving the metal coating through anodic polarisation of the working electrode with respect to a counter electrode, which is in electrolytic contact with the working electrode; c) recording an electrical dissolution potential at the working electrode over time, said potential occurring during a dissolution of the metal coating; and d) determining a time-averaged vale of the dissolution potential.

Abstract: In order to achieve reproducible vibration excitation of a quartz crystal even under the technical conditions which prevail when it is used for monitoring electroplating baths, a mounting for the quartz crystal 7 is proposed. The mounting for the quartz crystal 7 has two holding elements 3, 6, 14 detachably connected to one another as a form-fit, and at least two contact elements 5, 9 on the holding elements 3, 6, 14 brought into electrical contact with the contacting surfaces 32 of the quartz crystal 7. The quartz crystal 7 is fitted with the holding elements 3, 6, 14 and/or the contact elements 5, 9 at least one of the contact elements 9 being configured as a resilient body. The at least one resilient contact element 9 has an end face 34, 134 for electrically contacting the quartz crystal 7, the size of which face corresponds roughly to the size of the quartz crystal 7.