CORROSION PROPERTIES OF ALUMINUM ALLOY PARTICULATE REINFORCED METAL MATRIX COMPOSITE

Abstract

This study describes   the corrosion characteristics of Al-Cu-Mg alloy-based composites reinforced with various amounts of Titanium reinforced particulates. Corrosion tests were performed on the unreinforced matrix alloy as well as on the various composites in both heat-treated and as-cast conditions. Polarization studies have been carried out in 3.5% NaCl solution using potentiostat model SEP238C.   Increased content of reinforcements in the matrix alloy improves the corrosion resistance of the developed composites.  Al-Cu-Mg matrix alloy has exhibited a corrosion rate of 2.375472 mpy, whereas  Al-Cu-Mg / 8wt % TiO₂ has exhibited corrosion rate of 2.26424 mpy. Solution heat treatment at 525⁰C followed by artificial aging at 175⁰C was found to improve the corrosion resistance of the specimen tested.