ELECTROCHEMICAL CODEPOSITION OF INERT PARTICLES IN A METALLIC MATRIX

A survey on electrochemical codeposition of inert particles in a metallic matrix is given. Particles held in suspension in an electroplating bath are codeposited with the metal during electrodeposition. The particles used are inert to the bath and can be of different types, that is, pure metals, ceramics or organic materials. Combining this variety of types of particles with the different electrodeposited metals, electrochemical codeposition enables the production of a large range of composite materials with unique properties. Many experimental factors were found to influence the codeposition process, which led to some understanding of the mechanism. Models to predict the codeposition rate were developed, but were only partly successful.