Top Quality One Layer at a Time – Electroplating at ÖGUSSA

For electroplating, the surface coating must be broken down and the objects must be prepared for coating.

In order to achieve a high-quality electroplating result, flawless polishing of the surfaces for coating is essential. We are happy to offer this polishing service after thorough technical examination.

Please note that precious metal baths can preserve but not build shine. This means that any existing, inconspicuous scratches on the surface may be visually enhanced by the coating.

When degreasing solutions, heated ultrasound cleaning and electrolyte baths are used, there is a risk of damage to precious stones or of dissolution of glued joints. We can therefore offer no guarantee for jewellery, gemstones or organic materials such as pearls, corals, ebony etc.

Our ÖGUSSA electroplaters are happy to help with developing bespoke solutions for your specific requirements.

Polishing and recoating allow everyday objects such as clocks, jewellery, tableware, cutlery, sacred items and many more to regain their original shine. Discover our top quality for yourself.

Under the brand names AURUNA®, ARGUNA® and RHODUNA® we use precious metal electrolytes from Umicore, developed in-house, for functional and decorative coating. The technical properties and appearance of the gold layers are product-specific. It is therefore particularly important to select the optimal electrolyte and the right layer thickness for the desired application. As necessary, x-rays measure the required layer thickness and thus ensure the agreed quality.

Electroplating from ÖGUSSA gives valuable items a new shine.

The Following Gold Electrolytes are Available:

Yellow Gold
Coloured gold
Gold content per litre bath: 1 g
Maximum layer thickness: 0.2 µm
Thin final layer to give the decorative item the desired final colour.

Medium Gold
Coloured gold
Gold content per litre bath: 1 g
Maximum layer thickness: 0.20 µm
Thin final layer to give the decorative item the desired final colour.

Red Gold
Colour: Coloured gold
Gold content per litre bath: 1 g
Maximum layer thickness 0.25 µm
Thin final layer to give the decorative item the desired final colour.

THICK GOLD COATINGS

Hard Gold
Gold content per litre bath: 4 g
Hardness: HV 190
Maximum layer thickness: 10 µm
The high level of hardness strengthens surfaces that are subject to abrasive stress and so minimises unwanted scratches. Because of the low nickel content, this electrolyte is suitable only for technical applications.

Pure Gold

Gold content per litre bath: 4 – 5 g
Hardness: HV 90
Maximum layer thickness: 5 µm
Electrolyte to deposit thick gold layers. Application e.g. as a wear layer before coloured gold plating or as a solid functional layer for plug contacts.

The Following White Electrolytes are Available:

Silver
Colour: Silver-white
Metal content per litre bath: 40 g
Hardness: HV 170
Maximum layer thickness: 70 µm (greater layer thicknesses on request)
Silver is the universal precious metal electrolyte. The decorative area, especially for jewellery, silver cutlery and musical instruments, would be unimaginable without silver plating. Furthermore, there is a broad range of applications in the functional area, for example as a contact surface, given that silver is the best electrical conductor, or to make use of its antibacterial effect. Silver is therefore used for example for coating medical instruments, textiles with antimicrobial treatment for hospital clothing and wound dressings, antibacterial surfaces in food processing, and much more.

Rhodium

Colour: Brilliant white
Metal content per litre bath: 2 g
Hardness: HV 600 – 800
Maximum layer thickness: Approx. 0.2 µm
Gives white gold a brilliant white surface. Rhodium coatings are used in the functional area for battery and sliding contacts. Existing rhodium surfaces cannot be recoated. A gold or nickel barrier layer is required in the case of non-ferrous metals.

Verleiht Weißgold eine strahlend weiße Oberfläche. Rhodiumbeschichtungen werden im funktionellen Bereich für Batterie- und Schleifkontakte eingesetzt. Eine Nachbeschichtung vorhandener Rhodiumoberflächen ist nicht möglich. Bei Buntmetallen ist eine Gold- oder Nickelsperrschicht erforderlich.

• Please polish your valuable instrument as well as possible.
  The final surface is only ever as good as the prepared base material.
• Ensure careful and secure packaging. 
• Enclose the delivery note and parts list (number, which coating, layer thickness etc.).
• If only the body is to be coated:

The covers are required for instruments with rotary valves.

The covers and slides are required for instruments with piston valves (e.g. Périnet), or cover tubes must be fitted.

• For instruments from a certain size – bass trumpet, baritone, euphonium or tuba – the slides must be coated separately. The slides should be covered with cover tubes or insulating tape.

In addition, for the tuba, we also require extra covers for the fixing.

Please note that these covers are subsequently no longer usable for the instrument. 

• During the cold season, please ensure that no condensation can form. The instrument should first be wrapped in paper or, better still, a cloth.