CORROSION BEHAVIOR OF ALUMINUM ALLOY MATRIX REINFORCED BY ALUMINA COMPOSITE

Abstract

The influence of reinforcement (10%Al2O3) on the corrosion behaviour of aluminum alloy (Al-3%Mg) was studied in 3.5% NaCl, 1% HCl and 2.5% HCl. The corrosion damage in composite material and aluminum alloy was compared; the composite material had more corrosion rates than aluminum alloy. The corrosion rates increased with the increase in concentration of acid, the corrosion rates were higher in acid medium than salt medium. The behavior of composite material is similar to aluminum alloy with change corrosion solution. Microscopic examination show more pits in composite material where pitting corrosion had great influence on increasing the corrosion rates of composite material especially at the interface between the reinforcement and the matrix alloy.