Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for etching at least one surface of a plastic substrate, the method comprising steps (A) to (C), wherein step (B) comprises a contacting with a pre-treatment composition comprising one or more than one fluorine-free surface-active compound, and step (C) comprises a contacting with an etching composition comprising one or more than one manganese species, wherein after step (B) and prior to step (C) no rinsing is applied, and the etching composition is substantially free of, preferably does not comprise, fluorine-containing surface-active compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for etching at least one surface of a plastic substrate, the method comprising steps (A) to (C), wherein step (B) comprises a contacting with a pre-treatment composition comprising one or more than one fluorine-free surface active compound, and step (C) comprises a contacting with an etching composition comprising chromic acid, wherein after step (B) and prior to step (C) no rinsing is applied, and the etching composition is substantially free of fluorine-containing surface active compounds.

Abstract: A device for tracking a mobile article comprises a navigation system adapted to track a movement of the mobile article, a power source adapted to power the navigation system, an acceleration sensor, and a computation unit receiving an output signal from the acceleration sensor. The computation unit determines whether the mobile article is at a standstill or moving based on the output signal and initiates a sleep mode if the output signal has not changed for a specifiable time.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a chrome-plated part having a corrosion resistance in normal and specific circumstances and not requiring additional treatments after chrome plating, and to provide a manufacturing method of such a chrome-plated part. The chrome-plated part 1 includes: a substrate 2; a bright nickel plating layer 5b formed over the substrate 2; a noble potential nickel plating layer 5a formed on the bright nickel plating layer 5b. An electric potential difference between the bright nickel plating layer 5b and the noble potential nickel plating layer 5a is within a range from 40 mV to 150 mV. The chrome-plated part 1 further includes: a trivalent chrome plating layer 6 formed on the noble potential nickel plating layer 5a and having at least any one of a microporous structure and a microcrack structure.

Abstract: A device for tracking a mobile article comprises a navigation system adapted to track a movement of the mobile article, a power source adapted to power the navigation system, an acceleration sensor, and a computation unit receiving an output signal from the acceleration sensor. The computation unit determines whether the mobile article is at a standstill or moving based on the output signal and initiates a sleep mode if the output signal has not changed for a specifiable time.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a chrome-plated part having a corrosion resistance in normal and specific circumstances and not requiring additional treatments after chrome plating, and to provide a manufacturing method of such a chrome-plated part. The chrome-plated part 1 includes: a substrate 2; a bright nickel plating layer 5b formed over the substrate 2; a noble potential nickel plating layer 5a formed on the bright nickel plating layer 5b. An electric potential difference between the bright nickel plating layer 5b and the noble potential nickel plating layer 5a is within a range from 40 mV to 150 mV. The chrome-plated part 1 further includes: a trivalent chrome plating layer 6 formed on the noble potential nickel plating layer 5a and having at least any one of a microporous structure and a microcrack structure.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a chrome-plated part having a corrosion resistance in normal and specific circumstances and not requiring additional treatments after chrome plating, and to provide a manufacturing method of such a chrome plated part. The chrome-plated part 1 includes: a substrate 2; a bright nickel plating layer 5b formed over the substrate 2; a noble potential nickel plating layer 5a formed on the bright nickel plating layer 5b. An electric potential difference between the bright nickel plating layer 5b and the noble potential nickel plating layer 5a is within a range from 40 mV to 150 mV. The chrome-plated part 1 further includes: a trivalent chrome plating layer 6 formed on the noble potential nickel plating layer 5a and having at least any one of a microporous structure and a microcrack structure.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for increasing the adhesion between a chromium surface and a lacquer wherein said chromium surface is contacted with an aqueous solution comprising at least one phosphorous compound according to formulae R1—P(O)(OR2)(OR3) 1 and R1—O—P(O)(OR2)(OR3) 2 wherein R1 is a C1 to C12 alkyl group, linear, branched or cyclic comprising at least one polar residue and R2 and R3 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lithium, sodium, potassium, ammonium and C1 to C4 alkyl while passing an external electrical current through said substrate and at least one anode wherein said substrate serves as the cathode.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and plating baths for electrodepositing a dark chromium layer on a workpiece. The trivalent chromium electroplating baths comprise sulphur compounds and the methods for electrodepositing a dark chromium layer employ these trivalent chromium electroplating baths. The dark chromium deposits and workpieces carrying dark chromium deposits are suited for application for decorative purposes.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for increasing the adhesion between a chromium surface and a lacquer wherein said chromium surface is contacted with an aqueous solution comprising at least one phosphorous compound according to formulae R1—P(O)(OR2R3) 1 and R1—O—P(O)(OR2R3) 2 wherein R1 is a C1 to C12 alkyl group, linear, branched or cyclic comprising at least one polar residue and R2 and R3 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lithium, sodium, potassium, ammonium and C1 to C4 alkyl while passing an external electrical current through said substrate and at least one anode wherein said substrate serves as the cathode.

Abstract: The invention relates to electroplating baths and methods for electrodepositing a dark chromium layer on a workpiece. The trivalent chromium electroplating baths comprise sulphur compounds and the methods for electrodepositing a dark chromium layer employ these trivalent chromium electroplating baths. The dark chromium deposits and workpieces carrying dark chromium deposits are suited for application for decorative purposes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a chemical compound useful in a galvanic nickel or nickel alloy electroplating bath for depositing a semi-bright nickel or bright nickel alloy coating characterized in that the chemical compound has general formula IA: in which in general formula IA, R3 and R4?-CH2CH3 or R3 and R4 taken together with the N atom form a pyrrolidine ring or a morpholine ring.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a galvanic nickel or nickel alloy electroplating bath for depositing a semi-bright nickel or nickel alloy coating characterized in that the electroplating bath comprises at least one compound having the general formula (I) wherein R1=C1-C18 hydrocarbon moiety substituted with a SO3? group, C1-C18 hydrocarbon moiety substituted with a carboxylic group or C1-C18 hydrocarbon moiety substituted with at least an aromatic and/or a heteroaromatic group; R2=NR3R4 moiety, OR5 moiety, or cyclic NR6 moiety, wherein R3, R4, R5=hydrogen or C1-C18 hydrocarbon moiety or C1-C18 hydrocarbon moiety substituted with at least an aromatic and/or a heteroaromatic group, wherein R3, R4 and R5 are identical or different; R6=C3-C8 hydrocarbon moiety or C3-C8 hydrocarbon moiety, wherein at least one carbon atom is substituted by a heteroatom; and n=1-3.

Abstract: The invention relates to electroplating baths and methods for electrodepositing a dark chromium layer on a workpiece. The trivalent chromium electroplating baths comprise sulphur compounds and the methods for electrodepositing a dark chromium layer employ these trivalent chromium electroplating baths. The dark chromium deposits and workpieces carrying dark chromium deposits are suited for application for decorative purposes.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and plating baths for electrodepositing a dark chromium layer on a workpiece. The trivalent chromium electroplating baths comprise sulphur compounds and the methods for electrodepositing a dark chromium layer employ these trivalent chromium electroplating baths. The dark chromium deposits and workpieces carrying dark chromium deposits are suited for application for decorative purposes.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for cathodic corrosion protection of a substrate having a chromium surface and at least one intermediate layer between the substrate and the chromium surface, selected from the group comprising nickel, nickel alloys, copper and copper alloys and wherein said chromium surface is contacted with an aqueous solution comprising at least one compound containing phosphorous while passing an electrical current through said substrate, at least one anode and the aqueous solution wherein said substrate serves as the cathode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a metallic contact-connection of a photovoltaic solar cell, including the following method steps: A providing a semiconductor substrate, and B applying an aluminum-containing contact-connection layer indirectly or directly to a side of the semiconductor substrate. The invention is characterized in that in a method step C, a diffusion barrier layer, which acts as a diffusion barrier at least with respect to aluminum, is applied indirectly or directly to the contact-connection layer, and in a method step D, a solderable layer comprised of a solderable material is applied indirectly or directly to the diffusion barrier layer, and in that the diffusion barrier layer and the contact-connection layer are applied by a PVD method.

Abstract: A pyrophosphate-containing bath for the cyanide-free deposition of copper alloys on substrate surfaces, comprising a reaction product of a secondary monoamine with a diglycidyl ether, is described. The electrolyte bath is suitable for the galvanic deposition of glossy white, even and uniform copper-tin alloy coatings.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and plating baths for electrodepositing a dark chromium layer on a workpiece. The trivalent chromium electroplating baths comprise sulphur compounds and the methods for electrodepositing a dark chromium layer employ these trivalent chromium electroplating baths. The dark chromium deposits and workpieces carrying dark chromium deposits are suited for application for decorative purposes.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a galvanic nickel or nickel alloy electroplating bath for depositing a semi-bright nickel or nickel alloy coating characterized in that the electroplating bath comprises at least one compound having the general formula (I) wherein R1=C1-C18 hydrocarbon moiety substituted with a SO3? group, C1-C18 hydrocarbon moiety substituted with a carboxylic group or C1-C18 hydrocarbon moiety substituted with at least an aromatic and/or a heteroaromatic group; R2=NR3R4 moiety, OR5 moiety, or cyclic NR6 moiety, wherein R3, R4, R5=hydrogen or C1-C18 hydrocarbon moiety or C1-C18 hydrocarbon moiety substituted with at least an aromatic and/or a heteroaromatic group, wherein R3, R4 and R5 are identical or different; R6=C3-C8 hydrocarbon moiety or C3-C8 hydrocarbon moiety, wherein at least one carbon atom is substituted by a heteroatom; and n=1-3.