Microstructure and mechanical properties of nanocrystalline nickel prepared by pulse reverse microelectroforming

Nanocrystalline nickel was produced by pulse reverse microelectroforming. The pulse microelectroforming was also performed for the comparative purposes. The surface morphology and microstructure of electroformed nickel layers were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometry. The microhardness of nickel layers was measured with a Vickers microhardness tester. The friction and wear experiments for nickel layers were performed on a friction and wear tester. The results indicate that the nickel layers prepared by pulse reverse microelectroforming exhibit higher density and their grain sizes in the nanometer range. The nickel layers with fine grains, high microhardness and better wear resistance are obtained at positive current density of 20 A/dm2 and negative current density of 2 A/dm2. The microhardness and wear resistance of nickel layers are improved as the positive and negative current densities are increased.