An aqueous acidic copper electroplating bath that produces a satin deposit includes a source of copper ions, an acid, a satin additive, and optionally one or more acidic copper electroplating bath additive(s), wherein the satin additive includes a block copolymer with the structure of RO(EO)m(PO)nH.

The invention relates to a corrosion protection layer system for metal surfaces, said layer system comprising as the two top most layers: a) a discontinuous nickel-phosphorus layer and b) a chromium layer plated from a trivalent chromium electrolyte solution, as well as to a method of producing such a layer system. The inventive layer system is capable to combine the good corrosion resistance of the nickel-phosphorus layer against sodium chloride with the protective power of the chromium layer from the trivalent plating process against magnesium and calcium salts, especially without the need for any post-treatment.

The present invention provides an electrogalvanized steel sheet and a method manufacturing same, the electrogalvanized steel sheet having superb whiteness, and an attractive exterior surface due to reduction in surface scale.

Articles prepared by additive manufacturing of preforms that are coated by electrodeposition of nanolaminate materials, and methods of their production are described.

A method for processing a smooth or structured surface of a pressing element is described, the method comprising the steps of: a) chrome-plating said surface of the pressing element so as to form a coating comprising a first layer having chrome grains oriented in a first direction and a second layer overlapping said first layer, said second layer having chrome grains oriented in a second direction which is different from said first direction; b) applying a mask on the chrome-plated surface of the pressing element by means of a digital printing technology; c) chemically treating the chrome-plated surface of the pressing element on which said mask was applied, said chemical treatment being performed so as to partially remove said chrome coating in the exposed areas of said chrome-plated surface, i.e. in the areas not being protected by said mask, and d) removing said mask from the chrome-plated surface of the pressing element, obtaining a smooth or structured surface having a coating with areas having a different grade of gloss and colour.

A pressing element obtained by the above processing method and a method for the production of coated panels, such as panels for furniture or floors, bearing a predetermined decorative pattern which uses such pressing element are also described.

The present invention provides a method of tin-plating a copper alloy for electric or electronic parts and automobile parts which has excellent insertion force, heat-resistant peeling, and solderability, and a tin-plating material of a copper alloy manufactured therefrom.

The present invention refers to an electroplating bath for electroplating a chromium or chromium alloy layer, the bath comprising trivalent chromium ions, organic carboxylic acid, sulfate ions, sodium conductive ions, and additives in the form of inorganic sulfur compound and boric acid as well as a process using such an electroplating bath.

A decorative component includes a plurality of metal finish layers deposited over a substrate and a plurality of sub-layers. The outermost metal finish layer is selectively deposited or removed to define one or more recesses to create different appearances of the component. The outer metal layer may undergo laser ablation to remove at least a portion of the outer layer while still exposing the outer layer in the area of removed material. The recess may extend fully through the outer layer to expose the underlying metal finish layer, and/or the recess may have a sloped bottom surface to define a gradient appearance. The outer layer may be applied over a mask that is applied to the underlying layer, such that the outer layer is selectively applied. The outer layer may be removed to expose the underlying finish layer without exposing a nickel sublayer and without requiring a top coat.

In example implementations, a method for coloring an alloy is provided. The method includes anodizing a substrate in an anodizing bath comprising phosphoric acid, at a constant temperature and a constant voltage for a first time period to develop an anodizing layer that includes a barrier layer, reducing the constant voltage applied to the anodizing bath for a second time period to change a thickness of the barrier layer and change a width of pores in the anodizing layer, plating the substrate in a plating bath at a first current that is increased over a third time period in accordance with a current profile of the plating bath, and plating the substrate in the plating bath at a second current for a fourth time period.

A method includes providing an electrically conductive mandrel having an outer surface layer comprising a preformed pattern. The metallic article is electroformed. The metallic article includes a plurality of electroformed elements formed in the preformed pattern on the outer surface layer of the mandrel. The plurality of electroformed elements have a first side adjacent to the outer surface layer of the mandrel and a second side. The metallic article is separated from the mandrel. The plurality of electroformed elements are interconnected such that the metallic article forms a unitary, free-standing piece. A solution is applied to create a blackening of the first side of the plurality of electroformed elements.