Electrolytic deposition of palladium and its alloys is nearly 100 year
s old. As early as 1884, electrolytes based on divalent palladium-chlo
ride-ammonia complexes were discussed. For an equally long period, pal
ladium alloys with the elements of the iron group have been known. Pal
ladium deposition gained wider technical interest, however, only when
it was found that electrodeposited palladium and its alloys are possib
le and can be less costly substitutes for gold for electric connectors
.1