Open-bore co-electrodeposition of metal matrix composite coatings using permanent magnets

An apparatus comprising:

• an electrochemical cell comprising an electrolyte solution containing particles and metal ions;
• an electrode system disposed in the electrolyte solution, wherein the electrode system comprises a counter electrode, a reference electrode, and a working electrode, and wherein the counter electrode and the working electrode are arranged to allow electric current to flow therebetween;
• and
• an open-bore magnet arrangement comprising at least one permanent magnet connected to the electrochemical cell and arranged to produce a magnetic field in the electrolyte solution to interact with the electric current to produce an electrodeposition of the particles with metal derived from the metal ions onto the working electrode.

A method of performing electrodeposition of particles, the method comprising:

• providing an electrochemical cell comprising an electrolyte solution containing particles and metal ions;
• arranging an electrode system in the electrochemical cell, wherein the electrode system comprises a counter electrode, a reference electrode, and a working electrode;
• connecting the electrochemical cell to an open-bore magnet arrangement comprising at least one permanent magnet;
• establishing a magnetic field, by the at least one permanent magnet, in the electrolyte solution;
• passing an electric current between the counter electrode and the working electrode;
• and
• producing movement of the particles in the electrolyte solution, through interaction of the magnetic field and the electric current, to produce an electrodeposition of the particles with metal derived from the metal ions onto the working electrode.