Pd-rich (>= 90% at. Pd) Pd-Ag and Pd-Cu alloys were prepd. by their electrochemical deposition on Au substrate. The alloy surfaces were studied by cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy. The freshly deposited Pd-Ag alloys showed a surface strongly enriched with Ag. After H(2) absorption this tendency was smaller. Such behavior was not obsd. for Pd-Cu alloys. H2 absorption on Pd-Ag and Pd-Cu alloys was studied electrochem. The addn. of Ag to Pd resulted in a decrease in absorption capacity, but had a beneficial influence on H, absorption kinetics. Alloying Pd with Cu resulted in a decrease in H2 absorption rate and in an increase in the sensitivity of alloys to H(2) embrittlement.