Corrosion Behaviour of Aluminium Based Metal Matrix Composites Reinforced With SiC and Zircon Sand

Abstract

Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) have evoked a keen interest in recent times for potential applications in marines, aerospace and automotive industries owing to their superior strength to weight ratio and high temperature resistance. The excellent mechanical properties of these materials and relatively low production cost make them a very attractive candidate for a variety of applications both from scientific and technological viewpoints. Present work is focused on the study of corrosion behaviour of Aluminium alloy (6063) /SiC /ZIRCON SAND composite produced by the stir casting technique by controlling various casting parameters. The electrochemical behaviour of Aluminium alloy 6063/SiC/ZIRCON SAND metal matrix composite was investigated in 3.5% NaCl aqueous solution by ACM field machine. Results of the corrosion tests were determined using the potentiodynamic method, half cell method, potential measurement and by recording corrosion current density (Icorr) and corrosion rate in the 3.5 % water solution of NaCl indicate that corrosion of the investigated composite materials depends on the volume fraction of the reinforcing particles. Microhardness tester was used to evaluate the interfacial bonding between the particles and the matrix by indenting the microhardness indenter on the particle with the constant load (200 gm) and constant time (20 sec) at 100X optical zoom. X-ray Diffraction was performed to know the presence of the phases of reinforced material. Optical micrography and scanning electron microscopy was done to know the distribution of SiC/ZIRCON SAND particles in Aluminium alloy.