OMEGAL CDF SERIES

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 1. OMEGAL 180 CdF
2. OMEGAL 140 CdF
3. OMEGAL 160 CdF
Low carat gold processes, cadmium free

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 Low Carat Gold Alloys
Background

cadmium is a toxic, carcinogenic substance and it’s use is forbidden due to:
• RoHS : July 1 2006, cadmium is forbidden in the electric-electronic
components and watches
• REACH: Dec 2011 cadmium is banned in jewellery, brazing sticks
and all plastics
• Environment: the "platers" and OEM’s look more and more for "green"
processes
• Government: they force the "platers" to avoid toxic carcinogenic
substance

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 Low Carat Gold Alloys
Background
• These processes are used as underlayer to lower the cost in the deposition of high
thickness gold layers, where a high quality of the deposits is required.

• These processes can be used in all the decorative applications of electrlyitic gold
deposits, especially for the objects that require good resistance to abrasion (watches,
glasses, jewels, etc)

• The processes that were used in the past are a gold - copper – cadmium alloys. The
deposits have excellent properties (hardness, corrosion, brightness) and are also used
for the Gold electroforming in jewellery applications.

• COVENTYA is proposing, due to the restrictions in the use of Cadmium, an alternative

to gold - copper – cadmium alloys; the OMEGAL CDF series, gold - copper or gold-
copper- indium alloys. These solutions combine the excellent technical properties with
the absence of toxic substances

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 OMEGAL 180 CdF
OMEGAL 140 CdF

18 - 14 carat gold plating bath, colour 2N - 3N

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 OMEGAL SERIES

- OMEGAL is the latest Coventya’s generation of alkaline cyanide gold

electroplating processes that produce cadmium- free low carat (from 14 to 18
KT) gold deposit

- OMEGAL processes are very stable and simple to control. They are primarly
used as a cost-effective undercoat in duplex systems where a very high quality
finish is required

- OMEGAL deposit are RoHS, REACH and OEKO-TEX® complaint

- OMEGAL process are specifically designed for all the luxury market items,
especially for items subject to wear and handling

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 OMEGAL 180 CDF:
OMEGAL 140 CDF:
Operating conditions

18 carats Optimum OMEGAL 140 CDF 14 carats Optimum

Au g/L 4.0 - 5.5 5.0 Au g/L 4.0 – 5.5 5.0

Cu g/L 50 – 60 55 Cu g/L 55 - 60 55

In g/L 0.7 – 0.9 0.8 In g/L 0.8 – 1.0 0.9

KCN g/L 25 - 30 27 KCN g/L 25 - 30 27

Deposit density 15.5 75%Au Deposit density 12.5 58%Au

(g/cm3) 21%Cu 4%In (g/cm3) 35%Cu 7%In

Temperature (°
°C) 67 – 70 70 Temperature (°
°C) 65 – 70 68

Ccd (A/dm²) 0.5 – 0.7 0.5 Ccd (A/dm²) 0.7 – 1.2 1.0

Efficiency 74 mg/Amin Efficiency 58 mg/Amin

Speed (µm/min) 1 µm in 4 min at 0.5 A/dm² Speed (µm/min) 1 µm in 2 min 30’’ at 1 A/dm²

Colorimetric values L* = 90 a* = 3.7 b*=16.3 Colorimetric L* = 89 a* = 4.5 b*=14.8

C*=16.8 h*=77.1 values C*=15.4 h*=73
Yellow colour Champagne colour

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 Replenishment for 100g of Fine Gold

OMEGAL 180 CDF (1800 Amin)

OMEGAL 180 CDF R1 42 g (contains copper)
OMEGAL 180 CDF R2 250 ml (organic base)
OMEGAL 180 CDF R3 100 ml (contains indium with specific
complexing agent)

OMEGAL 140 CDF (2850 Amin)

OMEGAL 140 CDF R1 85 g (contains copper)
OMEGAL 140 CDF R2 250 ml (organic base)
OMEGAL 140 CDF R3 100 ml (contains indium with specific
complexing agent)

The only units that have different compositions are OMEGAL 180 CDF R2 and 140 CDF R2
Common products: OMEGAL CdF SURFACT, OMEGAL CdF CU and OMEGAL CdF IN

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 OMEGAL 140 CDF
Traditional Plating sequence for Brass
Zamak needs Alkaline Copper

4) Final Gold (MET): EPIDOR - PARADOR

3) Gold Strike: OMEGAL 140 CDF
2) Bright Nickel: ASTRA - CRYSTAL
1) Acid Copper: CUBRAC 480

Brass

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 OMEGAL 180 CDF
Traditional Plating sequence for Brass
Zamak needs Alkaline Copper

4) Final Gold (MET): EPIDOR - PARADOR

3) Gold Strike: OMEGAL 180 CDF
2) Bright Nickel: ASTRA - CRYSTAL
1) Acid Copper: CUBRAC 480

Brass

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 OMEGAL 140 CDF
Nickel free Plating sequence for Brass
Zamak needs Alkaline Copper

5) Final Gold: EPIDOR - PARADOR

4) Gold Strike: OMEGAL 140 CDF
3) Palladium: DECOMET 400 LG
2) White Bronze: AURALLOY 450 - 420 LF
1) Acid Copper: CUBRAC 480

Brass

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 OMEGAL 180 CDF
Nickel free Plating sequence for Brass
Zamak needs Alkaline Copper

5) Final Gold: EPIDOR - PARADOR

4) Gold Strike: OMEGAL 180 CDF
3) Palladium: DECOMET 400 LG
2) White Bronze: AURALLOY 450 - 420 LF
1) Acid Copper: CUBRAC 480

Brass

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 OMEGAL 180: Cost of deposit

Operating conditions
Current density: 0,5 A/dm²
Temperature: 69 - 70°C
Deposition speed: 1µm in 4 minutes
Efficiency: 73 mg/Amin

Replenishment 1800 Amin – 100 g of fine gold

42 g Omegal 180 R1 25 - 32 €/ump
250 ml Omegal 180 R2 75 - 85 €/ump
100 ml Omegal 180 R3 26 - 35 €/ump
60 g KCN

Minimum cost for 100g of fine gold: 140,00 €

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 OMEGAL 140: Cost of deposit

Operating conditions
Current Density: 1 A/dm²
Temperature: 68 - 70°C
Deposition speed: 1µm in 2.5 minutes
Efficiency: 58 mg/Amin

Replenishment 2850 Amin – 100 g of fine gold

84 g Omegal 140 R1 35 - 38 €/ump
250 ml Omegal 140 R2 78 - 85 €/ump
100 ml Omegal 140 R3 36 - 40 €/ump
50 g KCN

Minimum cost for 100g of fine gold: 150,00 €

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 OMEGAL CDF: Good to know

To keep the bath in optimum condition, it is advised to replenish the solution as

soon as 10% of the initial gold content has been consumed.

To replenish OMEGAL CDF R3 is recommended to dilute the product to 10

times minimum its volume to prevent the risk of Indium precipitation.

Filtration: Filtering system is recommended with polypropylene cartridge,

minimum size 5 microns, to maintain clarity of the solution. Cartridge should be
soaked overnight in 10% potassium hydroxide and then rinsed well in running
water before use.

Agitation: Moderate agitation of parts together with solution agitation by means

of filter pump , helps to ensure uniformity of deposit on the articles plated

Anodes: platinized titanium or titanium coated with mixed oxydes anodes is

recommended. Aim for a ratio of 2:1 maximum for the anodic/cathodic surface
area

Density: 30 – 32 °B. Change the bath if defects appear i.e. orange peel effect
or brittle deposit

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 Corrosion Performance

Omegal 140 CDF Omegal 180 CDF

1µm on brass nickel free 1µm on brass nickel free
plated samples plated samples
ARTIFICIAL SWEET
(NFS 80772)
24 hours
SALT SPRAY
(ISO 9227)
96 hours
THIOACETAMIDE
(ISO 4538)
48 hours
HEAT DAMP
(ISO 17228)
96 hours

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 Competitor bath: Enthone

ECOLOY GC : Or Cu ECOLOY CGS: Or Cu Ag

Bath works at high temperatures: 75 – 80°C

Process not very economical
The material must be adapted (leaks at the filter seals)
Not suitable for barrel application

Agitation
Requires a large circulation of the bath (modification of the equipment)
Difficult to use on frames (back and forth agitation)

Bath maintenance
Free cyanide content is critical: 3-8 g/L. After each addition of Potassium Gold-
cyanide, it is necessary to add copper cyanide to regulate the free cyanide
Silver content: 300 - 400 mg/L

No versatility in use
Not possible to treat parts with different surfaces with the same rack
Pre-gold plating is necessary
Color of the deposit have to be monitored constantly during electrolysis
pH has to be monitored frequently

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 Trouble shooting
Parameters Decrease Increase

Gold Pale, almost white deposit. Burnings Intense yellow colour

in HCD
Copper Dull pale yellow colour. Dull pink shade. Add KCN

Indium Pinker deposit, lacks brightness. Paler deposit, cloudy at high ccd
Potassium Cyanide < 22 g/L pinker colour and cloudy > 30g/L yellow colour.
deposit. Lack of Brightness
Temperature < 65°
°C yellowy-pink deposit. > 72°°C intense yellow shade, the
The carat decreases. efficiency and the carat increases.
pH < 9.0 deposit is too pink. Increase > 11.0 indium precipitation. Lower
the pH with KOH at 10%. the pH with H3PO4.
Current density Opaque yellow deposit, the carat Pinker shade, carat too low.
increases.
Agitation Pinker colour, white film, carat More yellow, the carat increases.
decreases.
Omegal CDF Loss of brightness and pitting. Make Cut steps deposit (multiple layer
surfacS successive additions of 1 ml/L. visible in cross section). Carry out by
carbon treatment.
OMEGAL CDF R2 Lack of brightness, pink colour, carat Burnings in HCD. Increase carat,
too low. brittle deposit.
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 OMEGAL CDF
What are the key features and benefits

Features
Benefits
Cadmium – free
RoHS and Reach compliant
Excellent thickness and alloy
distribution ‘’Green’’ easy to use process
Excellent ductility Cost saving, low carat gold
deposit
Bright deposit up to 20 microns
No multi-step plating required
Hard deposit, with good wear
and corrosion resistance Attractive finish
Suitable for spectacle frames,
watche-cases, jewellery and
luxury accessories

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 3. OMEGAL 160 CdF

Bath composition
16 – 18 carat gold plating bath, colour 4N - 5N

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 OMEGAL 160 CDF

Operating conditions

16 carats 18 carats
Au g/L 5 5
Cu g/L 55 55
KCN g/L 26 26
Deposit density (g/cm3) 14.0 15.5
Temperature (°
°C) 70 70
Ccd (A/dm²) 0.5 0.40
Efficiency (mg/Amin) 75.5 78.5
% gold 66% gold 75% fold
Deposition speed 1 µm in 4 min 1 µm in 5 min
Colorimetric values L* = 87 a* = 9.3 b*=14.5 C*=16.8 h*=57.3
Colour Pink

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 OMEGAL 160 CDF
Traditional Plating sequence for Brass
Zamak needs Alkaline Copper

3) Gold deposit: Omegal 160 CDF

2) Bright Nickel: Astra - Crystal
1) Acid Copper: CUBRAC 480

Brass

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 OMEGAL 160 CDF

Nickel free Plating sequence for Brass

Zamak needs Alkaline Copper

4) Gold Deposit: Omegal 160 CDF

3) Palladium: Decomet 400 LG
2) White Bronze: Auralloy 450 - 420
1) Acid Copper: CUBRAC 480

Brass

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 OMEGAL 160: Cost of deposit

Operating conditions
Current Density: 0,5 Adm²
Temperature: 68 - 70°C
Deposition speed: 1µm in 5 minutes
Efficiency: 78 mg/Amin

Replenishment 1600 Amin – 100 g of fine gold

50 g Omegal 160 R1 30 - 32 €/ump
250 ml Omegal 160 R2 70 - 75 €/ump
50 g KCN

Minimum cost for 100g of fine gold: 150,00 €

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 Corrosion Performance

Omegal 160 CDF

1µm on brass nickel free
plated samples
ARTIFICIAL SWEET
(NFS 80772)
24 hours
SALT SPRAY
(ISO 9227)
96 hours
THIOACETAMIDE
(ISO 4538)
48 hours
HEAT DAMP
(ISO 17228)
96 hours

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 For more information contact: l.romano@coventya.com

Tel: +39 057 467 11

Fax: +390574671299
Cell: +393400867805

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