## Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Solingen GmbH & Co. KG Grünewalder Str. 29-31 42657 Solingen Phone +49 212 2494-700 **•** Fax +49 212 2494-715 **•** info@igos.de **•** www.igos.de
The results of this analysis relate only to the samples provided to IGOS GmbH & Co KG for testing purposes and cannot necessari ly be

applied to the remainder of the batch. This Report on Findings may only be disseminated in an unmodified form and in its entire ty. Reports on Findings not bearing our signature are invalid. Page 1 of 22 

# oÉéçêí=çå=cáåÇáåÖë=
OMNNMRMU=-english editiondated 14 th 

# July 2012

Commissioning Party:
Merck KGaA Dr Gerhard Jonschker Frankfurter Strasse 250 64293 Darmstadt
Testing location: Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Solingen GmbH & Co. KG Grünewalder Str. 29-31 42657 Solingen

## Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Page 2 of 22 

## Solingen GmbH & Co. KG UB 20110508-en dated 14 th July 2012

Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Solingen GmbH & Co. KG **•** Grünewalder Str. 29-31 **•** 42657 Solingen The results of this analysis relate only to the samples provided to IGOS GmbH & Co KG for testing purposes and cannot necessari ly be

applied to the remainder of the batch. This Report on Findings may only be disseminated in an unmodified form and in its entire ty. Reports on Findings not bearing our signature are invalid. 

# The task Dr Jonschker of Merck KGaA commissioned IGOS to analyse the way a particular wetting agent produced by his comp any worked in comparison with two other wetting agents (competitors' products) in a Cr(VI) elec trolyte under real plating conditions. Cr(VI) electrolytes are used to create hi gh-gloss and hard chromium coatings. When chromium is deposited from solu tions containing Cr(VI), large quantities of hydrogen gas are released which causes corresponding amo unts of aerosols contain ing Cr(VI) to collect on the surface of the electrol yte. The efficiency rating of Cr( VI) electrolyte is approx. 20%, i.e. 20% of the electricity a pplied is used for metallic depo sition while th e remaining 80% is used to generate hydrogen gas. The wetting agents are used in conjunction with Cr(VI) electrolyte mainly to reduce the amount of chromium aerosols generated during electrolysis or prevent them completely. It was agreed that IGOS would analyse the effectiveness of the three wetting agents by comparing the volumes of Cr(VI) in the extrac ted air in a controlled experimental set-up.



# Wetting agents
Designations of wetting agents: 1. Merck KGaA MAFS-010 (batch OF1TM0146) 2. Atotech Deutschland GmbH Fumetrol FL 21 3. HSO Herbert Schmidt GmbH & Co. KG HSO chrome wetting agent FL

The solution concentration was in a ccordance with supplier's instructions: 1. MAFS-010 (batch OF1TM0146) 0.4 ml/l 2. Fumetrol FL 21 2.0 – 2.5 ml/l 3. HSO chrome wetting agent FL 0.1 ml/l



# Implementation
Test period: 01/2012 – 05/2012 Tester: Kuhn It was agreed that, initially , the wetting agents would be analysed in connection with deposition using a hard chr omium electrolyte and, in a second phase, deposition in connection with a high-gl oss chromium electrolyte.

## Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Page 3 of 22 

## Solingen GmbH & Co. KG UB 20110508-en dated 14 th July 2012

Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Solingen GmbH & Co. KG **•** Grünewalder Str. 29-31 **•** 42657 Solingen The results of this analysis relate only to the samples provided to IGOS GmbH & Co KG for testing purposes and cannot necessari ly be

applied to the remainder of the batch. This Report on Findings may only be disseminated in an unmodified form and in its entire ty. Reports on Findings not bearing our signature are invalid. 

# 1st test phase In the first test phase, a series of tests w as carried out for deposition of hard-chromium coatings. For all these tests, the followin g basic electrolyte was used: Atotech Heef 25 har d-chromium electrolyte
a) Process parameters of the chromium electr olytes used: 260 g/l Atotech Heef 25 make-up salt approx. 3 g/l Cr(III) approx. 3 g/l sulphate Electrolyte volume: 4.5 l (5 l glass beaker) Electrolyte surface: 2 dm2 Electrolyte temperature: 55-60 °C Electricity supply: 40 A Specimen surface area 0.8 dm2 Current density: 50 A/dm2 Cathode: 1 round Cu rod dimensions  1.5 x 20 cm Immersion depth: 1.7 dm, equivalent to 0.8 dm2 Anodes: 2 x PbSn6 dimensions: 17 x 5 cm
Fig. 01

Experimental set-up Electrolytic cell

## Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Page 4 of 22 

## Solingen GmbH & Co. KG UB 20110508-en dated 14 th July 2012

Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Solingen GmbH & Co. KG **•** Grünewalder Str. 29-31 **•** 42657 Solingen The results of this analysis relate only to the samples provided to IGOS GmbH & Co KG for testing purposes and cannot necessari ly be

applied to the remainder of the batch. This Report on Findings may only be disseminated in an unmodified form and in its entire ty. Reports on Findings not bearing our signature are invalid. 

# b) Process parameters for extracte d air by analogy to DIN EN 13284 Exhaust system: Piping:  50 mm with 13 drilled holes, Each hole:  11 mm, arranged around the rim of the glass beaker Air exhaust speed: approx. 5 m/s Quantity of air exhausted: 3 l/min

Fig. 02

Experimental set-up for air exhaust
Overview

## Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Page 5 of 22 

## Solingen GmbH & Co. KG UB 20110508-en dated 14 th July 2012

Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Solingen GmbH & Co. KG **•** Grünewalder Str. 29-31 **•** 42657 Solingen The results of this analysis relate only to the samples provided to IGOS GmbH & Co KG for testing purposes and cannot necessari ly be

applied to the remainder of the batch. This Report on Findings may only be disseminated in an unmodified form and in its entire ty. Reports on Findings not bearing our signature are invalid. 

# Fig. 03

Experimental set-up for air exhaust Detail view of electrolyte air exhaust on the electrolyte

## Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Page 6 of 22 

## Solingen GmbH & Co. KG UB 20110508-en dated 14 th July 2012

Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Solingen GmbH & Co. KG **•** Grünewalder Str. 29-31 **•** 42657 Solingen The results of this analysis relate only to the samples provided to IGOS GmbH & Co KG for testing purposes and cannot necessari ly be

applied to the remainder of the batch. This Report on Findings may only be disseminated in an unmodified form and in its entire ty. Reports on Findings not bearing our signature are invalid. 

# c) Process parameters Cr (VI) for taking specime ns from exhaust air Specimen hole: 55 cm above level of electrolyte Measuring probe diameter: 4 mm Taking sample of air: Muenke wash bottles with filter cartridges Exhaust quantity: between 100 and 150 l; the exact volume was recorded using a calibrated gas meter

Fig. 04

Overview Sampling the exhaust air (arrow)

## Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Page 7 of 22 

## Solingen GmbH & Co. KG UB 20110508-en dated 14 th July 2012

Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Solingen GmbH & Co. KG **•** Grünewalder Str. 29-31 **•** 42657 Solingen The results of this analysis relate only to the samples provided to IGOS GmbH & Co KG for testing purposes and cannot necessari ly be

applied to the remainder of the batch. This Report on Findings may only be disseminated in an unmodified form and in its entire ty. Reports on Findings not bearing our signature are invalid. 

# Fig. 05

Sampling using wash bottles



# d) Process parameters for Cr(VI) anal ysis in accordance with DIN EN 15205

 Transfer eluate to a 100 ml volumetric flask

 Add 2 ml of phosphoric acid (700 g/l)

 Add 1 ml diphenylcarbazide (0.1 g/10 ml acetone)

 Wait to allow 10 min reaction time

 Measurement of absorption in a UV spectrometer at 540 nm using a 50 mm cuvette

## Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Page 8 of 22 

## Solingen GmbH & Co. KG UB 20110508-en dated 14 th July 2012

Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Solingen GmbH & Co. KG **•** Grünewalder Str. 29-31 **•** 42657 Solingen The results of this analysis relate only to the samples provided to IGOS GmbH & Co KG for testing purposes and cannot necessari ly be

applied to the remainder of the batch. This Report on Findings may only be disseminated in an unmodified form and in its entire ty. Reports on Findings not bearing our signature are invalid. 

# e) Measuring surface tension Measuring equipment: Sita pro line t15 Measuring temperature: 23-25 °C Sample taken: appr ox. 40 ml electrolyte Bubble lifetime: Merck wetting agent: 0.16 s Atotech wetting agent: 6.5 s HSO wetting agent: 13 s A change in the surface tension can all ow the concentration of wetting agent in the electrolyte to be deduced for a given bubble lifetime. To generate the calibration curve, we sele cted the bubble lifetime of each additive that produced the maximum chan ge in surface tension for different concentrations. 

# Measuring surface tension

Graph 01: Measurement of surface tension for Merck wetting agent Calibration curves Merck MAFS-010 batch OF1TM0146

30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80

0,015 0

, 021 0

, 029 0,040 0,060 0,080 0

, 110 0,160 0,220 0,300 0,450 0,

6 00

0,850 1,200 1,700 2,

3 00

3,

5 00

4,500 6,500 9,

00

0 13,

000

15,

000



### Bubble lifetime sSurface tension mN / m ohne Netzmittel Netzmittel 0,04 ml/l Netzmittel 0,08 ml/l Netzmittel 0,12 ml/l Netzmittel 0,16 ml/l Netzmittel 0,20 ml/l Netzmittel 0,24 ml/l Netzmittel 0,28 ml/l Netzmittel 0,32 ml/l Netzmittel 0,36 ml/l Netzmittel 0,40 ml/l Netzmittel 0,44 ml/l Netzmittel 0,48 ml/l Netzmittel 0,52 ml/l Netzmittel 0,56 ml/l Netzmittel 0,60 ml/l

## Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Page 9 of 22 

## Solingen GmbH & Co. KG UB 20110508-en dated 14 th July 2012

Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Solingen GmbH & Co. KG **•** Grünewalder Str. 29-31 **•** 42657 Solingen The results of this analysis relate only to the samples provided to IGOS GmbH & Co KG for testing purposes and cannot necessari ly be

applied to the remainder of the batch. This Report on Findings may only be disseminated in an unmodified form and in its entire ty. Reports on Findings not bearing our signature are invalid. Atotech Fumetrol FL 21

35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80

0 ,015 0 ,0 21 0 ,029 0 ,040 0 ,060 0,080 0 ,1 10 0 ,160 0 ,220 0,300 0,450 0 ,600 0 ,850 1 ,200 1 ,700 2 ,300 3 ,500 4 ,500 6 ,500 9 ,0 00

13,

000

15,

00

0

Blasenlebensdauer sOberflächenspannung mN /m ohne Netzmittel Netzmittel 0,25 ml/l Netzmittel 0,50 ml/l Netzmittel 0,75 ml/l Netzmittel 1,00 ml/l Netzmittel 1,25 ml/l Netzmittel 1,50 ml/l Netzmittel 1,75 ml/l Netzmittel 2,00 ml/l Netzmittel 2,25 ml/l Netzmittel 2,50 ml/l Netzmittel 2,75 ml/l Netzmittel 3,00 ml/l Netzmittel 3,25 ml/l Netzmittel 3,50 ml/l



# Graph 02: Measurement of surface tension for Atotech wetting agent Calibration curves

HSO Chrom Netzmittel FL

45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80

0,0

15 0,0 21 0,029 0,040 0,0 60 0,0 80 0,1 10 0,1 60 0,2 20 0,3 00 0,4 50 0,6 00 0,850 1,200 1,7 00 2,3 00 3,5 00 4,5 00 6,5 00 9,0 00

13,00 0

15,00 0

Blasenlebensdauer sOberflächenspannung mN /m ohne Netzmittel Netzmittel 0,01 ml/l Netzmittel 0,02 ml/l Netzmittel 0,03 ml/l Netzmittel 0,04 ml/l Netzmittel 0,05 ml/l Netzmittel 0,06 ml/l Netzmittel 0,07 ml/l Netzmittel 0,08 ml/l Netzmittel 0,09 ml/l Netzmittel 0,10 ml/l Netzmittel 0,11 ml/l Netzmittel 0,12 ml/l Netzmittel 0,13 ml/l



# Graph 03: Measurement of surface tension for HSO wetting agent Calibration curves

## Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Page 10 of 22 

## Solingen GmbH & Co. KG UB 20110508-en dated 14 th July 2012

Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Solingen GmbH & Co. KG **•** Grünewalder Str. 29-31 **•** 42657 Solingen The results of this analysis relate only to the samples provided to IGOS GmbH & Co KG for testing purposes and cannot necessari ly be

applied to the remainder of the batch. This Report on Findings may only be disseminated in an unmodified form and in its entire ty. Reports on Findings not bearing our signature are invalid. 

# Results under hard chrome-plating conditions

1. Cr(VI) measurement with chromium electrolyte withou t wetting agent

Abluftmessung 50 A/dm2 ohne Netzmittel 10.-15.02.2012

347 390

280 282 327 425 448

372 529

378

0 200 400 600μg / m3 Chrom (VI)



## Mittel wert



# Graph 04 Results of extracted air measure ments at 50 A/dm2 without wetting agent All measurements are in μg/m3

## Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Page 11 of 22 

## Solingen GmbH & Co. KG UB 20110508-en dated 14 th July 2012

Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Solingen GmbH & Co. KG **•** Grünewalder Str. 29-31 **•** 42657 Solingen The results of this analysis relate only to the samples provided to IGOS GmbH & Co KG for testing purposes and cannot necessari ly be

applied to the remainder of the batch. This Report on Findings may only be disseminated in an unmodified form and in its entire ty. Reports on Findings not bearing our signature are invalid. 

# Fig. 06

Electrolytic cell for Graph 04



# Fig. 07

Exhaust air sampling for Graph 04

## Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Page 12 of 22 

## Solingen GmbH & Co. KG UB 20110508-en dated 14 th July 2012

Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Solingen GmbH & Co. KG **•** Grünewalder Str. 29-31 **•** 42657 Solingen The results of this analysis relate only to the samples provided to IGOS GmbH & Co KG for testing purposes and cannot necessari ly be

applied to the remainder of the batch. This Report on Findings may only be disseminated in an unmodified form and in its entire ty. Reports on Findings not bearing our signature are invalid. 

# 2. Cr(VI) measurements with chromiu m electrolytes with wetting agent

515 593

43 20 17 7 6 936

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 600 650 700 750 800 850 900 950 1000μg / m3 Chrom (VI)



### Fa. Merck 

## 

= 681 μg/m3 Fa. HSO 

## 

= 6 μg/m3 Fa. Atotech 

## 

= 27 μg/m3ohne NM378 μ/m3



# Graph 05 Results of extracted air measu rements at 50 A/dm2 with wetting agent All measurements are in μg/m3



# Type of wetting agent Concentration of Cr(VI) in extracted air Without wetting agent approx. 378 μg / m3

Merck wetting agent approx.600 μg / m3
Atotech wetting agent approx.20 μg / m3

HSO wetting agent approx.10 μg / m3

Table 01 : Summary of measuring results – 50 A/dm2

## Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Page 13 of 22 

## Solingen GmbH & Co. KG UB 20110508-en dated 14 th July 2012

Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Solingen GmbH & Co. KG **•** Grünewalder Str. 29-31 **•** 42657 Solingen The results of this analysis relate only to the samples provided to IGOS GmbH & Co KG for testing purposes and cannot necessari ly be

applied to the remainder of the batch. This Report on Findings may only be disseminated in an unmodified form and in its entire ty. Reports on Findings not bearing our signature are invalid. 

# Fig. 08

Electrolytic cells for Graph 5
Overview: Electrolytes from left to right: with Merck wetting agent with Atotech wetting agent with HSO wetting agent



# Fig. 09

Electrolytic cell with Merck wetting agent No frothing
CrO 3 

## deposits in the vicinity of the intakes

## Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Page 14 of 22 

## Solingen GmbH & Co. KG UB 20110508-en dated 14 th July 2012

Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Solingen GmbH & Co. KG **•** Grünewalder Str. 29-31 **•** 42657 Solingen The results of this analysis relate only to the samples provided to IGOS GmbH & Co KG for testing purposes and cannot necessari ly be

applied to the remainder of the batch. This Report on Findings may only be disseminated in an unmodified form and in its entire ty. Reports on Findings not bearing our signature are invalid. 

# Fig. 10

Electrolytic cell with Atotech wetting agent Considerable frothing (columnar)



# Fig. 11

Electrolytic cell with HSO wetting agent Considerable frothing, pancake-type spread

## Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Page 15 of 22 

## Solingen GmbH & Co. KG UB 20110508-en dated 14 th July 2012

Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Solingen GmbH & Co. KG **•** Grünewalder Str. 29-31 **•** 42657 Solingen The results of this analysis relate only to the samples provided to IGOS GmbH & Co KG for testing purposes and cannot necessari ly be

applied to the remainder of the batch. This Report on Findings may only be disseminated in an unmodified form and in its entire ty. Reports on Findings not bearing our signature are invalid. 

# 2nd test phase In the second test phase, a series of tests was carried out for deposition of decorative high-gloss chromium coatings. For all the tests, the followin g basic electrolyte was used, i.e. the same electrolyte as for the hard-chromium tests: Atotech Heef 25 har d-chromium electrolyte Process parameters fo r chromium electrolyte: 260 g/l Atotech Heef 25 make-up salt approx. 3 g/l Cr(III) approx. 3 g/l sulphate Electrolyte volume: 4.5 l (5 l glass beaker) Electrolyte surface: 2 dm2 Electrolyte temperature: 55-60°C Electricity supply: 16 A Area coated: 0.8 dm2 Current density: 20 A/dm2 Cathode: 1 round Cu rod dimensions  1.5 x 20 cm Immersion depth: 1.7 dm, equivalent to 0.8 dm2 Anodes: 2 x PbSn6 dimensions: 17 x 5 cm

Wetting agent tested: MAFS-010 (batch OF1TM0146) 0.4 ml/l Fumetrol FL 21 2.0 – 2.5 ml/l

## Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Page 16 of 22 

## Solingen GmbH & Co. KG UB 20110508-en dated 14 th July 2012

Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Solingen GmbH & Co. KG **•** Grünewalder Str. 29-31 **•** 42657 Solingen The results of this analysis relate only to the samples provided to IGOS GmbH & Co KG for testing purposes and cannot necessari ly be

applied to the remainder of the batch. This Report on Findings may only be disseminated in an unmodified form and in its entire ty. Reports on Findings not bearing our signature are invalid. Abluftmessung 20 A/dm2 07. / 15.05.2012

1 1 6 981 989 1077

728 854

765 1039

563 537

21 12 4 0 200 400 600 800 1000μg / m3 Chrom (VI) Blindwert 1 Blindwert 2 Blindwert 3 M1 ohne Netzmittel M2 ohne Netzmittel M3 ohne Netzmittel M1 / 0,4 ml/l Merck-Netzmittel M2 / 0,4 ml/l Merck-Netzmittel M3 / 0,4 ml/l Merck-Netzmittel M4 ohne Netzmittel M5 ohne Netzmittel M6 ohne Netzmittel M1 / 2,5 ml/l Atotech-Netzmittel M2 / 2,5 ml/l Atotech-Netzmittel M3 / 2,5 ml/l Atotech-Netzmittel 

# Graph 06 Results of extracted air measurements at 20 A/dm2 All measurements are in μg/m3



# Type of wetting agent Concentration of Cr(VI) in extracted air
Reference value * 

# approx. 5 μg / m3
Without wetting agent approx. 1000 μg / m3

Merck wetting agent approx. 800 μg / m3
Atotech wetting agent approx.20 μg / m3

Table 02: Summary of measuring results - 20 A/dm2

* 

## Measurement performed with no current flowing and without wetting agent to provide a lower limit value for the analysis under test conditions

## Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Page 17 of 22 

## Solingen GmbH & Co. KG UB 20110508-en dated 14 th July 2012

Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Solingen GmbH & Co. KG **•** Grünewalder Str. 29-31 **•** 42657 Solingen The results of this analysis relate only to the samples provided to IGOS GmbH & Co KG for testing purposes and cannot necessari ly be

applied to the remainder of the batch. This Report on Findings may only be disseminated in an unmodified form and in its entire ty. Reports on Findings not bearing our signature are invalid. 

# Fig. 12

Electrolytic cell with Merck wetting agent No frothing



# Fig. 13

Cr(VI) deposits visible in the wash bottle in the samples using Merck wetting agent

## Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Page 18 of 22 

## Solingen GmbH & Co. KG UB 20110508-en dated 14 th July 2012

Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Solingen GmbH & Co. KG **•** Grünewalder Str. 29-31 **•** 42657 Solingen The results of this analysis relate only to the samples provided to IGOS GmbH & Co KG for testing purposes and cannot necessari ly be

applied to the remainder of the batch. This Report on Findings may only be disseminated in an unmodified form and in its entire ty. Reports on Findings not bearing our signature are invalid. 

# Fig. 14

Electrolytic cell with Atotech wetting agent Minor frothing around the electrodes



# Fig. 15

No Cr(VI) deposits visible in the wash bottle in the samples using Atotech wetting agent

## Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Page 19 of 22 

## Solingen GmbH & Co. KG UB 20110508-en dated 14 th July 2012

Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Solingen GmbH & Co. KG **•** Grünewalder Str. 29-31 **•** 42657 Solingen The results of this analysis relate only to the samples provided to IGOS GmbH & Co KG for testing purposes and cannot necessari ly be

applied to the remainder of the batch. This Report on Findings may only be disseminated in an unmodified form and in its entire ty. Reports on Findings not bearing our signature are invalid. 

# 3rd test phase In the third test phase, a series of te sts was carried out for deposition of hardchromium coatings. For all the tests, the followin g basic electrolyte was used, i.e. the same electrolyte as for all the chromiu m plating tests: Atotech Heef 25 har d-chromium electrolyte The objective of the tests was to analyse the de-frothing effect of MAFS-010 on the Atotech Fumetrol FL 21 wetting agent. For the tests, the following wetting agents and wetting agent concentrations were used: Fumetrol FL 21 / Atotech one-off addition of 1.75 ml/l MAFS-010 (batch OF1TM0146) / Merck additions of 2 ml/l to 4 m/l

Once the concentration of Merck wetting agent reached 4 ml/l, 4 ml/l of Atotech wetting agent was added to de termine whether the tendency shown by the Merck wetting agent could be reversed by adding Atotech wetting agent.

Process parameters fo r chromium electrolyte: 260 g/l Atotech Heef 25 make-up salt approx. 3 g/l Cr(III) approx. 3 g/l sulphate Electrolyte volume: 4.5 l (5 l glass beaker) Electrolyte surface: 2 dm2 Electrolyte temperature: 55-60°C Electricity supply: 40 A Area coated: 0.8 dm2 Current density: 50 A/dm2 Cathode: 1 round Cu rod dimensions  1.5 x 20 cm Immersion depth: 1.7 dm, equivalent to 0.8 dm2 Anodes: 2 x PbSn6 dimensions: 17 x 5 cm

## Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Page 20 of 22 

## Solingen GmbH & Co. KG UB 20110508-en dated 14 th July 2012

Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Solingen GmbH & Co. KG **•** Grünewalder Str. 29-31 **•** 42657 Solingen The results of this analysis relate only to the samples provided to IGOS GmbH & Co KG for testing purposes and cannot necessari ly be

applied to the remainder of the batch. This Report on Findings may only be disseminated in an unmodified form and in its entire ty. Reports on Findings not bearing our signature are invalid. Abluftmessung 50 A/dm2 26.03. / 27.03.2012

833

588

16 79 31 160 332 541

298

0 200 400 600 800μg / m3 Chrom (VI) Netzmittel Merck 0,34 ml/l

Netzmittel Merck 0,34 ml/l

Netzmittel Atotech 1,75 ml/l

Netzmittel Atotech 1,75 ml/l + 2 ml/l Merck-N. Netzmittel Atotech 1,75 ml/l + 2,8 ml/l Merck-N. Netzmittel Atotech 1,75 ml/l + 3,2 ml/l Merck-N. Netzmittel Atotech 1,75 ml/l + 3,6 ml/l Merck-N. Netzmittel Atotech 1,75 ml/l + 4,0 ml/l Merck-N. Netzmittel Atotech 1,75 ml/l + 4,0 ml/l Merck-N. + 4,0 ml/l Atotech-N. 

# Graph 07 Results of extracted air measure ments at 50 A/dm2 wit h wetting agent. Atotech wetting agent wit h added Merck wetting agent All measurements are in μg/m3

## Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Page 21 of 22 

## Solingen GmbH & Co. KG UB 20110508-en dated 14 th July 2012

Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Solingen GmbH & Co. KG **•** Grünewalder Str. 29-31 **•** 42657 Solingen The results of this analysis relate only to the samples provided to IGOS GmbH & Co KG for testing purposes and cannot necessari ly be

applied to the remainder of the batch. This Report on Findings may only be disseminated in an unmodified form and in its entire ty. Reports on Findings not bearing our signature are invalid. 

# Type of wetting agent Concentration of Cr(VI) in exhaust air Merck wetting agent (w.a.): 0.34 ml/l approx. 600 μg / m3
Atotech wettin g agent: 1.75 ml/l approx. 20 μg / m3
Atotech wettin g agent: 1.75 ml/l Added 2 ml/l Merck w.a. approx. 80 μg / m3

Atotech wettin g agent: 1.75 ml/l Added 2.8 ml/l Merck w.a. approx. 40 μg / m3

Atotech wettin g agent: 1.75 ml/l Added 3.2 ml/l Merck w.a. approx. 160 μg / m3

Atotech wettin g agent: 1.75 ml/l Added 3.6 ml/l Merck w.a. approx. 330 μg / m3

Atotech wettin g agent: 1.75 ml/l Added 4.0 ml/l Merck w.a. approx. 540 μg / m3

Atotech wettin g agent: 1.75 ml/l Added 4.0 ml/l Merck w.a. Added 4.0 ml/l Atotech w.a. approx. 300 μg / m3

Table 03 : Summary of measuring results – 50 A/dm2

## Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Page 22 of 22 

## Solingen GmbH & Co. KG UB 20110508-en dated 14 th July 2012

Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Solingen GmbH & Co. KG **•** Grünewalder Str. 29-31 **•** 42657 Solingen The results of this analysis relate only to the samples provided to IGOS GmbH & Co KG for testing purposes and cannot necessari ly be

applied to the remainder of the batch. This Report on Findings may only be disseminated in an unmodified form and in its entire ty. Reports on Findings not bearing our signature are invalid. 

# Conclusions 1. Cr(VI) emissions during electrolytic c hromium plating using MAFS-010 chrome wetting agent (batch OF1TM014 6) and current density of 50 A/dm2 are increased by approx. 20%. 2. Cr(VI) emissions during electrolytic c hromium plating using MAFS-010 chrome wetting agent (batch OF1TM0146) and curren t density of 20 A/dm 2 are not reduced. 3. The two competitors' products tested reduced emissions by >95%. 4. Chrome wetting agent MAFS-010 showed diffe rent behaviour as regards dynamic surface tension in chromium electrolytes fr om that shown by the pr oducts available on the market. Even at very low bubble life time, MAFS-010 resulted in a considerably more pronounced reduction in surface tension by comparison. 5. In conjunction with the columna r frothing seen with Fumetr ol FL 21 wetting agent, MAFS-010 had a destabilising effect on the froth. When the froth was eliminated, however, Cr(VI) emissions increased despit e the presence of Fumetrol FL 21.

IGOS GmbH & Co. KG

Dipl.-Ing. Josef Andrek Managing Director Thomas Kuhn Master Electroplater