Preparation of a Microprism Ni-Ceo2Nanocomposite Mold by Electroforming

Electroforming has been applied in the fabrication of a mold. However, its lower microhardness has prevented its wider usage in general plastics and optical mold making. In this paper, CeO2 nanoparticles is first added to the bath to improve the microhardness of the electroformed microprism mold. Compared with microprism pure nickel mold, the microhardness and the wear resistance of the microprism Ni-CeO2 nanocomposite mold were significantly improved. The maximum microhardness of 530HV was observed in the nanocomposite deposits obtained at the current density of 1 Adm−2, and the microhardness of pure nickel is approximately 291HV. Finally, a microprism Ni-CeO2 nanocomposite mold was successfully electroformed.