Nanocrystalline nickel layers were prepared by pulse reverse microelectroforming. The microstructures of electroformed nickel layers were investigated by transmission electron microscopy. The friction and wear experiments for nickel layers were performed on a friction and wear tester. The results indicate that the nickel layers produced by pulse reverse microelectroforming exhibit higher density and their grain sizes in the nanometer range. The nickel layers with fine grains and better wear resistance are obtained. The wear resistance of nickel layers is improved as the positive and negative current densities are increased.