Achieving multiple colors from a single gold electroplating bath for decorative applications using pulse current deposition

In fashion and furniture design, the color of a workpiece plays a crucial role in aesthetic appeal. This study explores the innovative application of pulse current deposition in gold-nickel electroplating, demonstrating its potential to influence alloy composition and achieve a diverse range of colors from a single plating bath. By varying pulse parameters, we investigate their impact on the reduction mechanisms of the two metal ions and the resulting changes in colorimetric coordinates. Results reveal that adjusting only the cathode current density enables control over alloy composition, with nickel content variations of up to 2% between some samples, leading to color differences characterized by a ΔE greater than nine. These results highlight the effectiveness of pulse current electroplating as a precise tool for fine-tuning decorative finishes, offering significant advantages in process customization and efficiency.