I have conducted an experiment of electroforming using stainless steel as a mandrel and nickel sulphamate as a solution using 1 L of beaker. The size stainless steel mandrel is 4cm x 13.5 cm. Sodium Dichromate was used approximately 2g and dissolved in 1L of distilled water.

Here are the chemical composition used:

Nickel Sulphamate : 350ml/l

Nickel chloride : 10g/l

Boric acid : 37.5g/l

ph: 4.6

Temperature: 42 degree Celcius

Titanium anode basket is used and has been filled with Nickel pellets

Mandrel was dipped inside Sodium Dichromate solution for 2 minutes which the purpose is to have a passivation layer and rinsed with distilled water. Then, electroforming process with the setting voltage of 2V, 0.2 A conducted for 1 hour. I have used simple agitation using magnetic stirrer. After 1 hour, mandrel was immersed into a beaker contained clean water for 2 minutes to remove any residue of electroforming's solution. The deposited layer of nickel can be peeled off, unfortunately the surface which facing to anode basket gives unsatisfying nickel foil, grey in colour, opaque and cloudy. During electroforming process, the surfaces already grey and not shiny. I just want the shining and bright of electroformed nickel.

Is the water affect the bad performance of the surface of electroformed nickel foil?

is i missed a specific chemical usage?

It would really be helpful if any of expertise can share any information and feel free to comment. Thank you.