Layered nanostructured Ni with modulated hardness fabricated by surfactant-assistant electrodeposition

A layered nanostructured (NS) Ni sample, which consists of alternate layers of ultrafine and nano-sized grains, is fabricated by intermittently adding a grain refiner during electrodeposition. There exists a phenomenon of fluctuating hardness in the cross-section of the material. In addition, the mechanical characteristics of the material are located between those of ultrafine-grained Ni and those of nano-sized Ni.