Pure and composite nickel deposits containing nano-Al2O3 particle (50 nm) were produced under direct current (DCED) and pulsed current electrodeposition (PCED) conditions in the presence of magnetic field (MF). The influence of MF on the co-deposition of Al2O3 particles, texture coefficient of Ni and Al2O3, crystallite size, thickness, current efficiency and hardness of the deposits were investigated systematically. PCED regime exhibited higher incorporation nano-Al2O3 percentage than those obtained under DCED condition. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results show several order higher R-ct and lower i(corr) for PCED Ni-Al2O3 in the presence of magnetic field (MF) than that of DCED Ni-Al2O3 composites. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.