Patent GB-244487-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to the manufacture of plated goods
IPC: C23C10/28
Filed: 1925-12-11
Abstract: 244,487. Bek, E. G. Dec. 11, 1924, [Convention date]. Ornamenting.-Mechanically finished articles of base metals are electrolytically coated with precious metals and heated to a temperature substantially below the melting point of the foundation or plating in order to effect cohesion and to modify the colour. The temperature may be such as to form mixed crystals of the metals. An intermediate laver of one or more metals may be first deposited by electrolysis or by dipping or rubbing; this may be only one hundredthousandth of a millimetre in thickness. Intermediate layers of silver and copper, or gold and copper or silver and zinc may be employed. In an example, chains made of copper or copper alloy are cleaned and a coating of gold amounting to 12¢ to 25 gms. per kgm. is deposited. The chains are then boiled for about a minute in a solution of a fluxing agent consisting of one part of boracic acid, one part borax, and one part of water. The chains are then dried and heated in a furnace at 550-600 C. from two to five minutes, the temperature and exposure being chosen according to the colour desired in the object. Light coloured bronze chains may be similarly treated. When a red gold deposit is required on brass or on an alloy containing 80-90 per cent copper and 20-10 per cent zinc, or on German silver, a layer of copper is first deposited. Tubular articles are produced in the following way. A sheet of brass consisting of about two-thirds copper and one-third zinc is cut to disc form and reduced to a tube by drawing through dies. Before the final drawing, the particles are dipped in a solution containing 48 parts of nitric acid, 64 parts of sulphuric acid and one-third of a part of table salt. They are then washed, and while still moist are put in a solution containing 2 dwt. of cream of tartar per litre of water. The articles are then polished with a brass or steel wire brush and soapy water and then dipped in a solution of 45 gms. potassium cyanide to 1 litre of water. They are washed in hot water, then in cold water, and then plated in an electrolyte containing 1 oz. gold trysalite salts Au2(CN)2.2KCN.K2SO3, 2 oz. potassium cyanide, and 1 oz. sodium phosphate to a gallon of water, the temperature being 130 F. and the pressure 2¢ volts. The thickness of the deposit is checked by weighing. The articles are then boiled in the fluxing solution and subjected to the heat treatment. After cooling they are put in a tumbling barrel containing steel beads, ivory soap, and a few drops of sal-ammoniac solution. They are then drawn to the final diameter and cut to the length desired. Silver-coated articles may be similarly produced, the electrolyte in this case consisting of 11 oz. silver trysalite salts Ag2(CN)2.2KCN.K2SO3 and ¢ oz. potassium chloride to 1 gallon of water, the temperature being 70 F. and the pressure 1¢ volts. The subsequent heat treatment may be at 450 C. To produce a hard deposit, an electrolyte is employed containing to 1 litre of water, 1¢ oz. of a mixture of 50 per cent silver trysalite salts, 35 per cent brass trysalite salts, 10 per cent cadmium trysalite salts, 5 per cent copper trysalite salts, the pressure being 1 to 1¢ volts. In depositing on brass, a silver anode is employed. A mesh fabric bearing a design may be made by depositing gold on a fabric formed of different materials such as solder-filled copper wire, solder-filled brass wire, and white metal wire. Gold may be deposited on silver mesh.