Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for adjusting the brightness L* of an electroplated chromium layer, in particular of a dark electroplated chromium layer. The method includes an aqueous trivalent chromium electroplating bath comprising colloidal particles and/or agglomerates thereof and a step of fully or partially removing same with optionally adding colloidal particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for electrodepositing a dark chromium layer on a substrate, a respective electroplating bath for depositing such a dark chromium layer, and a respective substrate comprising said dark chromium layer. The electroplating bath comprises colloidal particles containing the chemical element aluminum. The substrate comprising said dark chromium layer is primarily suited for decorative purposes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a very specific electroplating bath for depositing a black chromium layer, and a respective method for electroplating such a layer. The electroplating bath comprises two specific groups of compounds defined as (D) and (E), present in a particularly defined molar ratio ranging from 0.9 to 2.65, based on (E):(D). The black chromium layer is excellently suited for decorative purposes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a black plated substrate comprising a base-substrate and deposited thereon a layer stack, wherein the layer stack comprises a black chromium plating layer comprising on its surface a conversion layer having a depth of 30 nm or more, characterized in that the conversion layer does not comprise metallic chromium or comprises metallic chromium only up to 2 at.-%, based on the element chromium and the total number of chromium atoms in the conversion layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a very specific electroplating bath for depositing a black chromium layer, a respective method thereof, and a respective substrate with said black chromium layer thereon. The substrate comprising said black chromium layer is excellently suited for decorative purposes.

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 the uniform electrolytic deposition of copper coatings, especially on printed circuit boards, an aqueous deposition bath is used which contains as constituents at least one source of copper ions, at least one compound increasing the electrical conductivity of the deposition bath as well as at least one additive, at least one transformation product, formed from epihalohydrins, dihalohydrins or respectively 1-halogen-2,3-propanediols and polyamidoamines being contained as the additive. The polyamidoamines are formed by the condensation reaction of dicarboxylic acids with polyalkylene polyamines. When copper coatings are deposited from this bath, copper layers of uniform layer thickness can be deposited.

Abstract: An aqueous acid bath for the galvanic deposition of bright, ductile and smooth copper coats which is suitable for decorative purposes as well as for strengthening the conductors of printed circuits. The bath is characterized by a content of polyalkylene glycol ether. When combined with thio compounds containing water-soluble groups, these additions produce an electrolyte with excellent stability. Polymeric phenazonium compounds, polymeric nitrogen compounds and/or thio compounds containing nitrogen may also be successfully combined, in addition, depending on the desired properties.

Abstract: An item of children's apparel includes a foot portion consisting of a sole formed of a number of layers, an intermediate layer of which is provided with a cavity or recess which houses, in the toe portion, a squeaker or other noisemaker which is involuntarily actuated by the child during normal walking when the child applies pressure to the toe portion.