Process for in-situ electroforming a structural layer of metallic material to an outside wall of a metal tube

摘要

A process for in situ electroforming a structural reinforcing layer of selected metallic material for repairing an external surface area of a degraded section of metallic workpieces, especially of tubes and tube sections, is described. Preferably, the metal layer coatings are made of fine-grained metals, metal alloys or metal matrix composites. The plating system can be used on straight tubes, tube joints to different diameter tubes or face plates, tube elbows and other complex shapes encountered in piping systems. A suitable apparatus is assembled on or near the degraded site and is sealed in place to form the plating cell. Also described is a process for plating "patches" onto degraded areas by selective plating including brush plating.