Improvements in the electrolytic deposition of metals and alloys

A bath for the electrolytic deposition of a metal or the simultaneous deposition of a plurality of metals excludes cyanide ions and contains, in aqueous medium, chlorine ions, one or more metal salts, a saturated aliphatic dicarboxylic, hydroxy monocarboxylic, hydroxy polycarboxylic or oxo-monocarboxylic acid having one to six carbon atoms or a salt thereof capable of forming one or more complexes with the metal or metals, and a basic compound in a quantity to bring the pH of the bath in the range 7-12. The acid may be oxalic, malonic, succinic, glycolic, lactic, malic, tartaric, citric, glyoxylic or pyruvic. The base may be ammonia or an amine. The metals to be deposited may be nickel, copper, cobalt, iron, chromium, manganese or tungsten. Examples are given of baths suitable for depositing these metals and alloys thereof, the metal or metals being added in the form of the sulphate, hydroxide, carbonate, oxalate or chloride. Chorine ions may be added as ammonium chloride. A cathodic depolarizer such as ethyl alcohol may be added to the bath.