Cupracid 210 Ds v16
Cupracid 210 Ds v16
Doc.-No.: 2099
DATA SHEET
IMDS-No.: 736943
Cupracid® 210
Bright copper plating solution
CONTENTS
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Process Information
• Cupracid 210 is a decorative copper plating solution on a sulfuric acid and dye basis which is operated
at room temperature.
• Cupracid 210 is a robust, general-purpose electrolyte that produces good leveling and uniform
brightness. The copper deposit is low stressed and ductile.
• Cupracid 210 can be used for both metals as well as for plastics.
Equipment
Exhaust Required.
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Make-Up
IMPORTANT NOTE: In all work with Cupracid 210, make sure that all regulations on
operations with sulfuric acid solutions are carefully observed!
Make-Up Sequence
• The copper sulfate is dissolved in half the amount of required DI-water in an extra tank made of PVC,
polyethylene or stainless steel. To accelerate the dissolution of the copper sulfate the water should be
heated up to 50 – 60 °C.
• As soon as the copper salt is completely dissolved, 5 g/l powdered, activated carbon (low sulfur, low
iron; suitable activated carbon can be purchased from Atotech) is added and is allowed to react for
about 1 hour while stirring frequently and thoroughly. Afterwards agitation is turned off for 3 – 4 hours to
allow the activated carbon to settle to the bottom of the tank.
• The solution is filtered into the plating tank and filled with DI-water to nearly the required amount. The
filtration needs to be carried out very carefully as residues of activated carbon particles can cause matt
copper deposits. It is also necessary to clean thoroughly the filter afterwards to avoid later contamination
by residues of activated carbon if the filter is used for the continuous filtration of the bath.
• The sulfuric acid is added to the clear blue plating solution while stirring vigorously (Caution! Wear
safety goggles!). Make sure that the temperature does not exceed 60 °C.
• Allow the plating solution to cool down to about 25 °C. Add while stirring thoroughly sodium chloride
diluted in small amounts of water and add also Cupracid 210 Make-Up, Cupracid 210 A and
Cupracid 210 B required for the bath make-up. At higher solution temperatures the Cupracid 210
additives would decompose.
• After make-up it is absolutely necessary to dummy plate the electrolyte for 5 Ah/l to form the anode film.
Due to the film formation also an extra addition of Cupracid 210 A might be necessary after dummy
plating.
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Working Parameters
The numbers in the following table have been rounded up and down respectively to the full minute:
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Maintenance
4.0 g/l of copper sulfate (CuSO4 • 5 H2O) increases the copper content by about 1 g/l.
The dry copper sulfate should be dissolved in warm (40 – 60 °C) DI-water and then treated with 10 mg
activated carbon per 1 g copper sulfate (for about 1 hour). Remember to filter before adding to avoid carrying
carbon into the plating bath.
0.57 ml/l sulfuric acid (chem. pure, 96 % (w/w), d = 1.84 g/cm3) increases the sulfuric acid content by
about 1 g/l. The sulfuric acid must be added while stirring thoroughly in order to avoid local overheating.
16.5 mg/l sodium chloride (chem. pure) increases the amount of chloride ions by about 10 mg/l.
Prior to addition, the sodium chloride must be diluted in a small amount of water.
If the number of Ampere hours is not 0.1 – 0.5 l (100 – 500 ml) Cupracid 210 A and
known, the following amounts should be 0.1 – 0.5 l (100 – 500 ml) Cupracid 210 B.
added to 1000 l electrolyte when the The addition should be done in steps of 100 ml additive per
degree of brilliance diminishes. 1000 l electrolyte.
If the copper content of the solution For that procedure the salt will be dissolved in warm,
decreases below the standard during DI-water and the solution is then treated with activated
operation it must be replenished by carbon as described for „Make-Up“. After thorough filtration
adding copper(II)sulfate • 5 H2O. the solution can be added to the bath.
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In order to achieve optimal leveling and brightness characteristics, Cupracid 210 A and Cupracid 210 B
must be present in the electrolyte in a certain prescribed proportion with respect to each other. Their mutual
proportion must be strictly observed, since the two substances have mutual influence on each other:
an excess of the one additive has the same effect as a lack of the other.
Lack of Cupracid 210 A or excess of Cupracid 210 B can lead to low leveling, reduced brightness and
partly hazy deposits in medium to low current density areas. In this case gradually add
0.05 – 0.1 ml/l of Cupracid 210 A.
If frequent extra additions of Cupracid 210 A are required, the concentration of Cupracid 210 A as well as
Cupracid 210 B is to be determined via analysis. If necessary, reduce additions of Cupracid 210 B or
increase additions of Cupracid 210 A.
A lack of Cupracid 210 B or an excess of Cupracid 210 A results in high current density burning.
Furthermore, a significant excess of Cupracid 210 A can cause roughness and pores.
If burns appear in high current density areas, Cupracid 210 B must be added in steps of 0.1 ml/l. In order to
prevent the formation of haze, small amounts of Cupracid 210 A must also be added simultaneously
(20 % based on the added amount of Cupracid 210 B).
Cupracid 210 A and Cupracid 210 B must be added separately to the plating solution while stirring
thoroughly.
The content of active Cupracid 210 Make-Up determined by tensiometry or CVS should usually be
between 3 – 13 ml/l in a Cupracid 210 electrolyte.
When high current density burning occurs, the concentration of inorganic constituents
(Cu, H2SO4, Cl-) should be analyzed prior to addition of the Cupracid 210 additives.
Cupracid 210 Make-Up can be mixed in any and all proportions with Cupracid 210 B
Cupracid 210 A must never be mixed with Cupracid 210 B or Cupracid 210 Make-Up.
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The following table shows how much of the additives will be removed when the electrolyte is cleaned by
several methods.
Application Guidelines
In order to maintain the quality of the deposition, we recommend to carry out the following:
The components of the bath should be analyzed regularly, in order to avoid high fluctuations in
concentration. For the same reason, it is recommended to run periodically Hull Cell tests.
If new titanium baskets and anode bags (made of polypropylene) are used, the following must be
observed:
The anode baskets are to be cleaned by means of hot degreasing, to avoid contamination of the electrolyte
by oil and metal cuttings.
Anode bags are cleaned first in a hot sodium carbonate solution (1.5 % (w/w)) to remove the impregnation
followed by a neutralization in a 1 % (v/v) sulfuric acid solution.
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Anti-Pitting Additives
Adverse construction of the air agitation equipment or porous filter systems, among other things, can cause
small air bubbles, which are distributed in the electrolyte.
These air bubbles adhere preferably at the bottom of the parts and partially disturb the deposition of copper
so that pores are formed. Cupracid Wetting Agent Plus or Cupracid Super Wet 42 can be used as soon
as those air pores occur.
However Cupracid Super Wet 42 should not be added to solutions with temperatures higher than 30 °C as
the active component could precipitate due to the cloud point of the wetting agent.
Cupracid Super Wet 42 reduces the foam formation on the electrolyte.
The Cupracid Wetting Agent Plus is a foam producing product. The use of Cupracid Wetting Agent Plus
in combination with the Cupracid 530 Correction Solution proved beneficial.
Cupracid Wetting Agent Plus or Cupracid Super Wet 42 should be added in accordance with the
respective data sheets.
Cupracid 530 Correction Solution is used to improve the brightness throwing power in acid copper plating
solutions.
When used in conjunction with Cupracid Wetting Agent Plus, Cupracid 530 Correction Solution also
prevents the formation of pores.
Under certain circumstances, depending on air injection and the shape of the parts, it is possible that small
air bubbles get stuck on the surface causing air pores in the copper deposits.
In that case add Cupracid 530 Correction Solution and Cupracid Wetting Agent Plus to the plating
solution.
Cupracid 530 Correction Solution and Cupracid Wetting Agent Plus should be added in accordance with
the respective data sheets.
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Cupracid Antifoam
If the foam formation of the Cupracid 210 plating electrolyte is too strong, once Cupracid Antifoam can be
added as a foam reducer.
Afterwards it should be checked if the added amounts of Cupracid 210 Make-up or Cupracid Wetting
Agent Plus were too high. If necessary the addition of Cupracid 210 Make-up needs to be reduced
accordingly.
If the Cupracid Antifoam concentration in the plating bath is too high, the efficiency of Cupracid anti-pitting
additives will be reduced.
Cupracid Antifoam should be added in accordance with its data sheet.
Cupracid Promoter
Cupracid Promoter can be used to stabilize the Cupracid 210 process and the consumption of the organic
additives. Cupracid Promoter has no negative influence on the processing of the Cupracid 210.
Cupracid Promoter can be analyzed.
Cupracid Leveller Additive is used to improve the leveling effect and the brightness in the medium to high
current density range of Cupracid 210 plating solutions. Cupracid Leveller Additive can be used if an
addition of 0.2 ml/l Cupracid 210 A has not any improving effect.
To avoid “burning” at high current density areas a sufficient high content of Cupracid 210 B is important.
Alternatively, the dosage of Cupracid 210 A can be reduced by up to 20 %.
Cupracid Leveller Additive should be added in accordance with its data sheet.
Cupracid Additive UN
The Cupracid Additive UN is used as special brightener in acid dips before the Cupracid 210 process but
can also be directly added to the Cupracid 210 electrolyte.
Cupracid Additive UN can be used either to prevent or decrease any impairment of the brightness caused
by pores or pitting.
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Cupracid 210 is also suitable for the copper plating of small bulk articles in a barrel. The make-up
specifications and the maintenance instructions are exactly the same as for rack plating.
Current density Approx. 1.0 A/dm2 (referred to the total surface area of the
articles in the barrel)
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Rinse water
Copper can be precipitated by adjusting the rinse water pH to between 8.5 - 9.5. The filtered solution can
subsequently be sent to final neutralization.
Concentrates
The following options are possible when concentrated copper solutions must be treated.
When copper is to be recycled, it is generally necessary to treat these copper solutions separately from other
solutions.
The following recycling methods are typical, although others can be recommended:
• Electrowinning of copper using an appropriated electrolytic cell.
• Treatment of copper concentrate, or of a precipitated copper sludge, by a specialized recycling
company.
If these methods cannot be used, the copper concentrate together with the complexing agent free
wastewaters can be treated by adjusting the pH to between 8.5 – 9.5. For better precipitation the
concentrates must be diluted in a ratio of 1 : 10 before sending to the wastewater treatment plant.
For better flocculation we recommend to add a flocculant (e.g. a polyacrylamide / anionic with a mol mass of
4 – 6 million). The solution is then stirred and the precipitation is allowed to settle for better filtration.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Be sure to observe all local regulations concerning the limiting
values of pollutants including the general regulations on dangerous materials!
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Analytical Instructions
Version: 03
Determination of Copper by Titration
Doc.-No.: EXT-0410-TIT-03
Reagents required*:
• Ammonia solution 5 M; (5 N); (375 ml/l Ammonia solution 25 %); density 0.91 g/cm3)
• Indicator PAN (0.1% in alcohol)
• EDTA volumetric solution 0.1 M (EDTA = disodium salt of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid)
Be sure to observe all local regulations concerning the permitted limits for
pollutants, including the general regulations for hazardous materials!
Procedure:
• 1.0 ml** of the sample is placed into a 500 ml volumetric flask and dilute with 100 ml DI water.
• Carefully add 5 M of ammonia solution until the colour of the solution turns dark-blue (pH-value of 9.5 –
10.0 is reached).
• If the copper bath contains a substantial amount of iron, which can be recognized by the precipitated
iron hydroxide, a fresh sample must be taken and the iron hydroxide held in solution by adding
• about 3.0 g of sodium potassium tartrate (Seignette salt), before addition of 5 M ammonia solution.
• After addition of few drops of indicator solution titrate with
• 0.1 M EDTA volumetric solution, until the colour of the solution changes from dark blue to green
The number of ml of 0.1 M EDTA volumetric solution*** used - multiplied with 6.354 – gives
the content of copper in g/l.
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Example:
During titration of 1.0 ml bath, 8.4 ml of 0.1 M EDTA volumetric solution was used.
Calculation:
Quality assurance: For maintenance, calibration of measuring devices and the use of
standards and reference materials please refer to the corresponding guidelines.
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Version: 02
Determination of Sulfuric acid by Titration
Doc.-No.: EXT-0411-TIT-02
Reagents required*:
Be sure to observe all local regulations concerning the permitted limits for
pollutants, including the general regulations for hazardous materials!
Procedure:
• 1.0 ml** of the sample are placed into a 250 ml volumetric flask and diluted with 100 ml of DI water.
• Add 5 drops of methyl orange indicator solution and titrate against
• 0.1 M sodium hydroxide volumetric solution until the color of the solution changes from red to yellow.
• Alternatively a titration processor with a pH electrode can be used (titration to the first point of
equivalence)
***
The number of ml of 0.1 M sodium hydroxide volumetric solution used - multiplied with 4.9 - gives the
content of sulfuric acid in g/l.
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Example:
During titration of 1.0 ml of the bath, 11.9 ml of 0.1 M sodium hydroxide volumetric solution was used.
Calculation:
Quality assurance: For maintenance, calibration of measuring devices and the use of
standards and reference materials please refer to the corresponding guidelines.
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Revision: 02
Determination of Chloride by Titration
Doc.-No.: EXT-0412-TIT-02
Principle:
Potentiometric Titration
Reagents required*
• Hydrochloric acid 0.1 M; (0.1 N); (8.3 ml/l HCl, density 1.19 g/cm3)
• Silver nitrate volumetric solution 0.01 M; (0.01 N) (produced by topping up 100.0 ml of 0.1 M silver
nitrate volumetric solution in a 1000 ml volumetric flask)
Be sure to observe all local regulations concerning the permitted limits for
pollutants, including the general regulations for hazardous materials!
The silver electrode (silver wire 2 mm) is thoroughly degreased and connected to the positive pole of a
direct-current generator. A platinum electrode (platinum coil, positive pole for electroanalytical metal
deposition) is connected to the negative pole. The electrodes are now immersed to a depth of about 5 - 6 cm
in 0.1 M hydrochloric acid and electrolysed while stirring continuously for about 1 - 2 hours, at 1 - 2 mA. After
this period of time the silver electrode should have a uniform brown appearance.
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Procedure
• 50.0 ml** copper bath are placed into a 150 ml beaker and mixed with
• 50 ml of fully demineralized water.
• The solution is titrated with 0.01 M silver nitrate volumetric solution until the first turning point (potential
jump)
Note: The Titration can be conducted only a turning point titration using a
titroprocessor / voltmeter equipped with a Ag/AgCl electrode to determine the
endpoint. No visual indication is possible.
***
The ml of 0.01 M silver nitrate volumetric solution used - multiplied with 7.09 – gives the content of chloride
ions in mg/l.
Example:
Titration of 50.0 ml sample consumed 10.75 ml of 0.01 M silver nitrate standard solution.
Calculation
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Version: 02
Determination of Make-Up Solution by Tensiometry Doc.-No.: EXT-0421-PHY-02
Principle:
The surface tension will be measured by tensiometry and after external calibration the content of active
Make-Up Solution is determined.
Reagents required*:
• DI water
• Methanol p.a.
• Standard 2.5ml/L, 5.0 ml/L, 7.5ml/L, 10.0ml/L Make-Up Solution
Be sure to observe all local regulations concerning the permitted limits for
pollutants, including the general regulations for hazardous materials!
Equipment required:
Rotation evaporator
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Tensiometer
Frequency 0.500 Hz
Tolerance ±5%
• The Oasis MCX cartridges will be conditioned with 1 ml of DI-water and methanol each.
Sample Preparation:
• 2.0** ml of sample are pipetted into the cartridge and diluted with
• about 8 ml of water and mixed thoroughly. Then rinse the cartridge again with
• about 1 ml DI-water. Now the cartridge will be eluted with
• 4.0 ml methanol in a 100 ml round bottom flask. The eluted sample will then be evaporated with a rotary
evaporator and taken up with
• 20.0 ml DI-water.
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• Measurement is carried out with the software SITA Online. First calibrate the tensiometer with DI water.
• The measurement cannot be started until the water value matches the value of 72.74 mN/m given in the
table.
• The samples cooled down to about 20 °C are then pl aced into thoroughly cleaned and dry
• 20 ml beakers and measured at the tensiometer.
• It must be assured that the samples have all the same temperature when measuring.
• The 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 ml/L standards, which was prepared the same way as the sample, must be
measured to set up the calibration curve (quadratic). After that the capillary is immersed into a water
vessel and for
• 10 s the “clean”-function at the tensiometer is started. Subsequently the capillary is carefully dried with
a piece of cloth.
• 50 measurements will be carried out. From the measured values the average will be generated, not
taking into account the lowest and the highest result.
• From the mean value of the measured surface tension the content of active Make-Up Solution can be
determined via calibration.
• Samples with measuring values of > 63.3 mN/m must be diluted in a ratio of 1:1 and measured again.
After each measurement “clean” must be carried out for 10 s.
• A double determination must always be carried out (sample preparation included). Measuring values,
which are outside the calibration, must be diluted in such a manner, that the measuring value is within
the calibration. The measuring desk must be chosen in a manner, that possibly sparse concussions
have an influence on the result. The glass vessels must be very clean and must not contain rinsing
agent residues.
19 °C 72.9 mN/m
20 °C 72.74 mN/m
21 °C 72.59 mN/m
22 °C 72.44 mN/m
23 °C 72.28 mN/m
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Calculation:
Example:
74
72,5
72
Surface Tension mN/m
70
68 68,3
66
65
64
63,2
62 62,1
y = 0,088x2 - 1,916x + 72,5
60 R2 = 0,9996
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Content in ml/l
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1.916 - 1.916 2 − 4 × 0 . 088 × ( H 2 O − measuring value )
value × Dilution Factor = ml/l Make Up Solution
2 × 0.088
1.916 - 1.916 2 − 4 × 0 . 088 × ( 72 . 5 − 65 . 1 )
× 2 = 10.0 ml/l Make Up Solution
2 × 0.088
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Version: 02
Determination of Make Up Solution by CVS Doc.-No.: EXT-0445-CVS-02
Reagents required*:
Be sure to observe all local regulations concerning the permitted limits for
pollutants, including the general regulations for hazardous materials!
Equipment required
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CVS Parameter
Procedure
• A freshly made up bath is used as standard solution, which contains 10.0 ml/l Make Up Solution
Sample Solution
The bath sample is measured directly without any further sample preparation by CVS. If the concentrations
of Make Up Solution is < 5 ml/l the concentration must be increased by adding Make Up Solution.
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Measurement
• Conditioning with copper basic electrolyte for 30 cycles (until the loading amount is constant).
• Calibration of the system with standard solution.
• Analysis of the bath sample with a content of 5 – 15 ml/l Make Up Solution.
• Between the single determinations the electrode system must be conditioned again with the copper
basic electrolyte (approx. 5 – 10 cycles).
• If the concentration of Make Up Solution is significantly higher than 15 ml/l, the addition volume must be
decreased correspondingly.
• If the content of Make Up Solution in the sample to be determined is lower than 5 ml/l the analytical
results must be very erroneous. In this case we recommend to increase the concentration by adding a
known amount of Make Up Solution.
• To this e.g. exactly 1.0 ml/l Make Up Solution is placed into a 100 ml measuring flask and is filled up to
the mark with the sample to be determined (corresponds to an addition of 10.0 ml/l Make Up Solution
which must be subtracted from the analytical result).
Evaluation
The evaluation is carried out automatically with the software through dilution titration.
• The analytical result is given directly in ml/l Make Up Solution.
Quality assurance: For maintenance, calibration of measuring devices and the use of
standards and reference materials please refer to the corresponding guidelines.
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Version: 02
Determination of Part A by Photometry Doc.-No.: EXT-0422-UV-02
Principle:
The content of Part A can be photometrically determined at a wavelength of 560 nm. Since the extinction to
be measured depends on both the concentration of Part A, as well as on the content of copper, analysis for
determination of the copper content is also necessary (for example: by complexometric titration according to
our Analytical Instructions for acid copper baths).
• UV/VIS spectrometer
• Quartz-, glass- or plastic cuvettes (layer thickness 1 cm)
Be sure to observe all local regulations concerning the permitted limits for
pollutants, including the general regulations for hazardous materials!
Procedure:
A photometer is used to measure the extinction of the sample to be analyzed. The analysis is performed
directly, against water (to provide the blank value), in 1-cm cuvettes, at a wavelength of 560 nm.
Calculation:
Page: 27 / 32
Example:
Extinction: 0.332
Copper: 53.3 g/l
Quality assurance: For maintenance, calibration of measuring devices and the use of
standards and reference materials please refer to the corresponding guidelines.
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Version: 02
Determination of Part B by HPLC Doc.-No.: EXT-0423-LC-02
Reagents required*:
Please follow the general regulations for hazardous materials in the Material safety
data sheets!
The analytical procedure is to be followed exactly.
Be sure to observe all local regulations concerning the permitted limits for
pollutants.
Injection System
Injection volume 50 µl
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Pre Column
Granulation 5 µm
Length 10 mm
Diameter 4.6 mm
Column
Granulation 5 µm
Length 25 cm
Diameter 4.6 mm
Detector
Detection UV-Detector
Range 1
Response 0.1
Retention time
Product Part B
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Preparation of Standards
The standards are prepared by dilution of the Part B Additive with Millipore Water.
Following standard concentration are used for calibration:
0.1 ml/L, 0.25 ml/L and 0.5 ml/L Part B
Preparation of Samples
Evaluation:
The peak area of the sample has to be within the calibrated range.
If necessary a different sample dilution has to be chosen!
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0,010
Part B - 6,016
0,000
-0,010
-0,020
AU
-0,030
-0,040
-0,050
-0,060
-0,070
-0,080
0,50 1,00 1,50 2,00 2,50 3,00 3,50 4,00 4,50 5,00 5,50 6,00 6,50 7,00 7,50 8,00
Minutes
Quality assurance: For maintenance, calibration of measuring devices and the use of
standards and reference materials please refer to the corresponding guidelines.
This sheet shall serve for your information. The content of the sheet is based on our best Atotech Deutschland GmbH
knowledge. We do not undertake any duty to advise. The contents of the sheet shall not P.O. Box: 21 07 80
be considered as an agreement on condition and quality of the goods delivered. 10507 Berlin, Germany
The decision to use our products for its production purposes is the responsibility of our Erasmusstraße 20
customer. We can accept liability only for the quality of our products at delivery. If 10553 Berlin, Germany
difficulties arise in the application of our products, we propose that you contact our phone +49 (0) 30 349 85 0
technical service department. fax +49 (0) 30 349 85 777
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