Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25D—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS; ELECTROFORMING; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25D3/00—Electroplating: Baths therefor
  • C25D3/02—Electroplating: Baths therefor from solutions
  • C25D3/50—Electroplating: Baths therefor from solutions of platinum group metals
  • C25D3/52—Electroplating: Baths therefor from solutions of platinum group metals characterised by the organic bath constituents used
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25D—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS; ELECTROFORMING; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25D11/00—Electrolytic coating by surface reaction, i.e. forming conversion layers
  • C25D11/02—Anodisation
  • C25D11/34—Anodisation of metals or alloys not provided for in groups C25D11/04 - C25D11/32

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a novel article which is plated with rhodium developing black or blue color, a process for making the same and a novel bath for rhodium-plating.
• Rhodium-plating has been generally employed for use in electric contacts, lead frames and ornamental articles due to its good hardness, wear resistance, corrosion or erosion resistance and stability in the contact resistance. Furthermore, it has been desired to develop rhodium plating with different colors besides white, as it will enhance the practical value of the rhodium plating.
• an object of the present invention is to provide a noble rhodium-plated article with black or blue color as well as mirror-like gloss.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide a process and a plating bath for making such rhodium-plated article with black or blue color.
• a further object of the present invention is to provide a process for improving the wear resistance of the rhodium plating with the black color.
• plating bath or “bath” hereinafter
• bath composition for plating which provides a plating suitable for ornamental articles, particularly glasses, watches, accessories, cosmetics or dinner wares; rhodium-plating with black or blue color and mirror-like gloss is obtainable through a normal plating manner in an acid rhodium-plating bath comprising an additive consisting of at least one selected from the group consisting of organocarboxylic acid, aromatic sulfonic acid or salts of these, amine, gelatine, butynediol and hypophosphite, the resultant rhodium-plating providing good adhesion and good corrosion or erosion resistance. Based on such finding, the inventors have completed the present invention.
• the rhodium-plated articles of the present invention are suitable for, e.g., frames or glasses, cases, faces and bands of watches, necktie pins, lighters, necklaces, rings, compacts, caps for lipsticks and the like.
• the articles of the present invention may be utilized not only in the ornamental purpose but in various fields which require such a good plated. coating.
• the plating bath of the present invention comprises a normal acid rhodium plating bath comprising rhodium salt and free acid (known per se), and an additive consisting of at least one selected from the group consisting of organocarboxylic acid, aromatic sulfonic acid or salts of these, amine, gelatine, butynediol and hypophosphite (referred to "additive" hereinafter).
• This plating bath is used for placing treatment of the articles resulting in rhodium-plated articles with desired properties.
• the plating bath comprising three ingredients of rhodium salt, free acid and the additive such as organocarboxylic acid hereinabove mentioned will be sufficient for accomplishing the purpose of the present invention.
• Rhodium salts which are normally used in the conventional rhodium plating, e.g., sulfate, phosphate, sulfamic acid and the like are employed as the rhodium salt for the plating bath.
• the rhodium salt concentration in the bath ranges within a conventional, normal concentration, i.e., from 0.1 g/I to 20 g/I. At a concentration below 0.1 g/l - the speed of electrodesposition will be undesirably reduced. At a concentration exceeding 20 g/I the expensive rhodium would be used without effective utilization.
• the free acid encompasses acids which are normally used in the acid plating bath, such as sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfamic acid and the like.
• organocarboxylic acid and aromatic sulfonic acid are used in either a free acid form or a salt form, only one of these being sufficient, however, two or more being applicable.
• organocarboxylic acid or aromatic sulfonic acid denote also their salts hereinafter. Such salts encompass sodium or potassium salt.
• the concentration of organocarboxylic acid and/or aromatic sulfonic acid should be determined relating to the concentration of rhodium, and, however, be not less than 0.01 g/I, a lower concentration of which would deteriorat- ingly affect upon color development.
• These additives may be added to the bath up to a solubility limit in the bath, however, used at a concentration which is practically sufficient.
• Organocarboxylic acid of the invention encompasses acetic acid and benzoic acid which have only one carboxylic group and no other functional group, phthalic acid and thiomalic acid which have two carboxylic groups, and salts of each.
• Aromatic suifonic acid encompasses benzenesulfonic acid, nitrobenzenesulfonic acid, phenosulfonic acid, metanilic acid or the like and salts of these acids.
• the additives to the bath in the present invention further encompasses amine, gelatine and butynediol.
• Amine encompasses ethylenediamine, triethanolamine, sulfuric hydroxylamine, diethylenetriamine or the like.
• One amine among those as the additive is sufficient, however two or more amines or amine(s) with other additives may be used.
• the concentration of amine, gelatine and butynediol in the bath approximates to that of organocarboxylic acid.
• Hypophosphite as the additive encompasses alkali metal salts (sodium or potassium salt), alkaline earth metal salts (calcium or magnesium salt), other divalent metal salts (Co-, Ni-, Fe-, or Mn- salt) and the like. Among those salts alkali metal salts or alkaline earth metal salts are preferred.
• the concentration of hypophosphite as the additive in the bath approximately ranges from 0.5 to 10 g/I. A lower concentration less than 0.5 g/I does not develop sufficient effect, and that exceeding 10 g/I would cause to get cloudy, i.e., to loose the gloss.
• This additive of hypophosphite requires slightly different conditions of plating with respect to pH, bath temperature or the like from the other additives aforementioned.
• the pH should be below 2.5 as a higher pH would cause cracks or precipitation in the bath.
• An optimum temperature for hypophosphite approximately ranges from 20 to 45 C. A higher temperature exceeding 45°C is not preferred as it enhances the possibility of the partial clouding.
• the current density at a conventional, normal range e.g., approximately 0.5 - 5 A/dm 2 ) may be adopted.
• the additives as hereinabove mentioned belong to essential ingredients of the bath according to the present .
• a further agent as a brightener may be added to the bath, i.e., 0.1- - 10 mg./I or nonionic surfactant may be used.
• nonionic surfactant encompasses that of the ether type, e.g. polyoxyethylene- alkylether, polyoxyethylenealkylphenylether or the like, which are generally used as the brightener in the prior art, however, further serve to inhibit the plating from forming microcracks, partial clouding and to produce a uniform color tone.
• the pH value of the bath should not exceed 6. At a higher pH value than 6, rhodium in t.he bath will form hydroxide to form precipitation to disadvantage.
• the color of the rhodium-plated coating or film relates to the thickness thereof, wherein a thinner coating will produce blue color while a thicker coating black color.
• benzoic acid is used as organocarboxylic acid
• the plating of the thickness less than 0.05 micron produces the blue color
• the thickness of 0.1 micron or more produces the black color
• the thickness between 0.05 and 0.1 micron will produce bluish black color.
• the thickness of 5 microns shows still the black color.
• Other organocarboxylic acid develops also the similar results in the color as well as the other additives aforementioned.
• the control or choice of the color is preferably made mainly by changing the plating time under a predetermined bath condition.
• the bath temperature and current density for plating procedure are adopted within the values as adopted in the conventional manner.
• a bath temperature of 10 - 80°C should be adopted.
• the current density will not sufficiently rise resulting in the low electrodeposition efficiency.
• the disadvantage of violent vaporization of the bath will overcome the advantage of enhancement in the electrodeposition efficiency.
• the current density having close relation with the color tone should be 0.1 - 10 A/dm 2 .
• a higher current density than 10 A/dm 2 will cause violent evaporation of gas at a cathode in the bath accompanied by a deteriorated color tone.
• the cathode may be selected from known material having a metallic surface such as brass, German silver (nickel silver), stainless steel or the like (however, iron, aluminium and zinc cannot be plated directly thereon).
• the cathode material further encompasses articles coated with strike (substrate coating), e.g., nickel strike or paradium-nickel strike.
• strike substrate coating
• the cathode material encompasses also non-metallic articles coated with such substrate coating.
• insoluble electrodes is sufficient for the anode, e.g., platinum electrode, titanium electrode coated , with platinum or platinum-rhodium plating.
• the article thus obtainable according to the present invention has the mirror-like gloss with its surface, the black or blue color, good adhesion, good corrosion or erosion resistance, and the hardness. compatible with the conventional rhodium plated articles without applying other conventional agents for various purposes.
• the rhodium-plated article with the black or blue color is obtainable through applying a bath essentially consisting of three ingredients, i.e., rhodium salt, free acid and the additive of the invention, the additive being organocarboxylic acid, aromatic sulfonic acid or one of other members aforementioned.
• anodic electrolysis treatment or so-called anodic treatment
• anodic electrolysis treatment or so-called anodic treatment
• Plated articles with the black color to be treated through the anodic treatment are those which were rhodium-plated on the surface and have the black color as aforementioned.
• a bath for this treatment is such that accompanies a reaction generating oxygen, provided that the plated coating or substrate of plating should not be corroded or eroded upon dipping the articles for treatment or during the treatment.
• strong acid such as sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid or the like, and strong alkali such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide are not preferred.
• Electrolyte applicable to the anodic treatment encompasses organic and inorganic substances either alone or in combination.
• the pH value and the temperature of the bath for anodic treatment may be adopted according to such conditions that are applicable in the conventional plating or electrolytic treatment.
• organic acid such as citric acid, glutamic acid, tartaric acid, acetic acid, stearic acid, lactic acid, succinic acid, sulfamic acid,. or salts thereof with sodium, potassium or ammonium
• inorganic acid such as pyrophosphoric acid, phosphoric acid, carbonic acid, cyanic acid, boric acid, silicic acid, or salts of _ these inorganic acids
• methyl alcohol, ehtyl alcohol, ethyleneglycohol, benzilamine, cycrohexane, EDTA sodium saccharinate, polyacrylamide, or polyethylene imine.
• an insoluble cathode of known nature, e.g., platinum, titanium-rhodium alloy, titanium-platinum alloy, stainless steel, carbon or the like may be employed.
• the anodic treatment of the present invention is successfully effected, e.g., under the following conditions: a bath temperature at 30 - 60°C, a concentration of the electrolyte at 10 - .100 g/I, a current density of 0.1 - 20 A/dm 2 and a treating period of 3- 60 minutes.
• a bath temperature at 30 - 60°C a concentration of the electrolyte at 10 - .100 g/I
• a current density of 0.1 - 20 A/dm 2 e.g., a current density of 0.1 - 20 A/dm 2
• a treating period of 3- 60 minutes e.g., under the following conditions: a bath temperature at 30 - 60°C, a concentration of the electrolyte at 10 - .100 g/I, a current density of 0.1 - 20 A/dm 2 and a treating period of 3- 60 minutes.
• deviation from these conditions may be done optionally.
• composition of the bath generally affects upon the bath potential, anode current density and treating time, which makes it necessary to choose each optimal condition for each treating bath, thus such treatment conditions cannot be unconditionally or generally determined without specifying the bath composition. This reason is understood by that the oxygen overvoltage for each electrolyte is different.
• the. anode current density of not less than 0.1 A/dm 2 is sufficient at a treatment time of three minutes, whereas a shorter treatment time suffices at a higher. current density, or a longer treatment time is applied if the current density is small.
• the concentration of the electrolyte in the bath is so adopted that oxygen can be released at the anode, which concentration widely ranges, e.g., from a few g/I to that of the upper solubility limit.
• the present invention also provides the rhodium-plated articles having the practically sufficient wear resistance and the enhanced blackness through the anodic treatment of the rhodium-plated articles as aforementioned.
• a bath of pH 4.0 obtained by mixing rhodium sulfate (rhodium: 4 g/I), phthalic acid (2 g/I) and sulfuric acid were set a titanium anode plated with platinum and a cathode of a brass watch case plated with a nickel strike.
• the watch case was electroplated for ten minutes under conditions of a bath temperature of 30°C and a current density of 0.5 A/dm 2 .
• the resultant plating film presented black color and mirror-like gloss provided with 0.3 micron thickness and good adhesion.
• the same article was electroplated for one minute under the same conditions.
• the resultant plating film was 0.03 micron thick provided with mirror-like gloss and blue color.
• the resultant watch case was tested with respect to the corrosion resistance through a CAS-testing manner and exposure testing in an ammonia atmosphere. No corrosion was observed thus exhibiting the good corrosion resistance.
• the articles showed a hardness compatible with the level of the rhodium-plated white coating according to the conventional manner.
• Rhodium-plating was carried out under the conditions as shown in Table I otherwise in the same condition as disclosed in Example 1, the results being also disclosed in Table 1. All the sample pieces showed properties equivalent to those of Example 1 with respect to the mirror-like gloss, corrosion resistance, hardness and adhesion.
• the resultant plating film presented black color with mirror-like gloss.
• the film was 0.5 micron thick having good adhesion.
• Example 1 Testing in the manner as disclosed in Example 1 revealed the good corrosion resistance and a hardness compatible with conventional white rhodium plating.
• Rhodium plating was carried out under conditions as shown in Table 2 otherwise under the same conditions as disclosed in Example 9, the results being also disclosed in Table 2.
• the resultant platings showed mirror-like gloss, the good corrosion resistance and hardness.
• Electroplating with rhodium was carried out under the conditions as shown in Table 3, otherwise under the same condition as in Example 1.
• the resultant plating film was 0. 1 micron thick having good adhesion.
• the good corrosion resistance was exhibited through the same testing as in Example 1, and the hardness compatible with the conventional white rhodium plating was exhibited.
• the resultant plating developed blue color provided with the thickness of 0.02. micron and other good properties as in the black rhodium plating.
• Rhodium plating was carried out under conditions as shown in Table 3 otherwise under the same conditions as in Example 1, the results being also disclosed in Table 3.
• the resultant platings showed the mirror-like gloss, the good corrosion-resistance and hardness as in Example 18.
• Example 1 The rhodium-plated brass plate with the black color and the thickness of 0.3 micron which was obtained in Example 1 was subjected to anodic treatment under conditions disclosed in Table 4.
• the wear resistance was measured by rubbing the sample plate surface of 10 cm on a backside of the cow leather under the application of 600 g load at a reciprocal movement speed of 1 cycle/second.
• the color difference and gloss were measured according to the measuring method of mirror surface gloss, JIS Z 8741-1978 "gloss measurement method" by using a color difference meter of Nippon Denshoku Kogyo K.K. (type ND-5). The smaller is the value, the deeper or stronger blackness is represented.
• Example 2 The resultant article as obtained in Example 2 having the 0.4 micron thick plating provided with the black mirror-like gloss was subjected to the anodic treatment under the same condition as in Example 31, resulting in the same good properties as in Example 31.
• Example 1 Phthalic acid (2 g/I) in Example 1 was replaced with metanilic acid (I g/I), under which condition rhodium plating was effected otherwise under the same condition as in Example 1. The resultant sample pieces were treated. as in Examples 31 - 37, resulting in the same good properties as in Example 31 - 37.
• Example 2 Benzoic acid (2 g/I) in Example 2 was replaced with ethylenediamine (50 ml/1), under which condition otherwise the same conditions as in Example 2 rhodium plating was effected.
• the resultant sample pieces were treated as in Example 38, resulting in the same good properties as in Example 38.
• Example 31 The same rhodium-plated brass plate as used in Example 31 (thus Example 1) was subjected to anodic treatment under conditions of electrolyte composition, concentration and electrolysis conditions as shown in Table 6 otherwise in the same manner as in Example 31.
• the resultant pieces showed rhodium-plating films with the enhanced blackness and wear resistance.

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• Electroplating And Plating Baths Therefor (AREA)

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Citations (4)

• 1981
  • 1981-09-22 DE DE8181107517T patent/DE3176572D1/de not_active Expired
  • 1981-09-22 EP EP19810107517 patent/EP0048929B1/de not_active Expired

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