Uniaxial Compression Behavior of Ni-Open-Cell Structure Depending on the Electroforming Mass and Thickness

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Expert Engineering, Rahyaft Advanced Sciences & Technologies knowledge-based company, Tehran, Iran

2 Material Science and Metallurgical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

In this investigation, a series of nickel open-cell structures with cubic geometry were fabricated by electroforming onto stereolithography (SLA) resin 3D-printed templates. The thickness of the electroformed Ni foams was controlled under constant voltage conditions for two days in a warm nickel sulfamate bath. Ni open-cell samples with varying thicknesses and masses were subsequently subjected to uniaxial compression tests, and their deformation behavior was analyzed and modeled using load–displacement curves. The results show that the mass and apparent density of the Ni open-cell samples exhibit a linear relationship with electroforming time at 6 PPI, unlike the Ni thickness. However, the first maximum compressive strength of the samples, measured according to ISO 13314, does not show a linear dependence on thickness. In this work, Ni open-cell foams were successfully fabricated by warm electroforming under controlled temperature and voltage, achieving densities below 0.93 g/cm³, compressive strengths above 7.50 MPa, and energy absorption values exceeding 4.90 J/cm³. These outstanding mechanical properties, particularly the strength-to-density and energy-absorption-to-density ratios at 6 PPI, demonstrate significant potential for advancing the production of nickel open-cell foams.

Keywords

References

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Iranian Journal of Materials Forming
Volume 13, Issue 1
January 2026
Pages 59-70

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