The influence of an external static magnetic field on the electrocodeposition of 13 nm alumina particles into a nickel matrix has been studied. Using the quartz crystal microbalance it was possible to determine the particle content of the layers in situ. The main factors controlling the codeposition are the flux density and the orientation of the magnetic field. The alumina particle content in electrodeposited nickel layer was substantially increased by the application of a perpendicular (with respect to the electric field) magnetic field. Magnetic functionalization of the particles by electroless coating with a thin nickel layer lead to bad reproducibility and did not significantly improve the particle content of the layer. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.