METHOD AND COMPOSITION FOR PRODUCING BRIGHT PALLADIUM ELECTRODEPOSITIONS

A composition for producing adherent deposits of palladium from cyanide-free bath uses small amounts of cobalt or nickel or the combination thereof as the brightener. The bath employs as an electrolyte alkali metal and ammoni-um sulfates, sulfamates, phosphates, nitrates, nitrites and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the brightener concentration is 0.004-0.02 gram mole per liter nickel or 0.002-0.04 gram mole per liter cobalt, or the combination thereof. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide is an optional component for the bath which is maintained at a pH of 7.5-11.0 and at a temperature of 28.degree.-80.degree. Centigrade. For barrel plating, the current density is 0.05-0.5 amperes per square decimeterand for rack plating the current density is 0.2-2.0 amperes per square decimeter.