Effect of aging and protective coating on the corrosion behavior of 6061 Al / SiCp composite in chloride solutions

Abstract

Metal matrix composites considered especially for marine application are typically aluminum-based. Utilization of the composites in marine environments requires adequate corrosion resistance. In this work, the effect of aging and aluminum as resistive coating on the corrosion behavior of 6061 Al / SiC <inf>p</inf> composite in 1N and 3.5N NaCl solution in the temperature range of 30°C-50°C is studied by means of electrochemical techniques, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and weight loss measurements. Aging results in precipitation of intermetallics in the matrix, this in turn leads to galvanic and pitting corrosion. Pitting initiation and propagation as the main corrosion mechanism was driven by the aging kinetics which is ruled by the reduction in the retained vacancy concentration and at the same time by dislocation density due to the presence of SiC<inf>p</inf>. Sputtered aluminum coating on the composite effectively resists the pitting initiation and propagation and hence corrosion process. Also the intermetallic precipitates are unexposed to the Chloride solution by the presence of aluminum coating. Hence aluminum coating acts as corrosion resistive coating for the 6061 Al / SiC<inf>p</inf> aged composites. © (2011) Trans Tech Publications.