Important Parameters and Applications for Nickel Electroforming

Electroforming is versatile process that is being used more and more, although the basic idea is almost a hundred years old. This paper will concentrate on the important mechanical properties and electrolyte parameters of nickel electroforming. Electrolyte parameters such as current density, pH-value, temperature and the use of pulse plating and additives will be examined with respect to mechanical properties such as internal stress, material distribution and hardness. Pulse plating in a chloride and Watts nickel bath and DC plating in sulphamate bath will be discussed, as well as different methods for measuring internal stress and material distribution.