Abstract

In modern electrochemical coating technology, it is common practice to create uniform layers. However, this study focuses on the deposition of non-uniform layers achieved through a deliberate arrangement of micro structured electrodes on the anode side. The "dog bone effect” was employed as the primary approach [1]. When electroplating on an otherwise uniform surface, this effect selectively processes an area influenced by the geometric edge effect (figure 1 left). The coating within this area is intended to be (i) unevenly distributed and (ii) non-reproducible. Process data was obtained through electrochemical simulations and subsequently applied to a specially designed micro-galvanic setup. This enabled the production of suitable micro structured anodes, validation of coating parameters, and the deposition of visually imperceptible structured areas with inhomogeneous properties using "adhesive gold" on appropriate substrates such as silver and nickel. The layers and their local topography were characterized and analyzed using confocal laser microscopy, X-Ray fluorescence analysis (XRF), as well as a self-designed and constructed laser interference device. As a result, this specific galvanic process technology successfully produced metallic layers that (i) cannot be visually confirmed by the naked eye, (ii) exhibit varied microstructural anode geometries, (iii) display unique differences in layer thickness, (iv) possess non-reproducible and chaotic topographies, and (v) can be detected and identified using conventional analysis techniques or a simple interference setup.

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