Influence of reinforcement grade and matrix composition on corrosion resistance of cast aluminium matrix composites (A3xx.x/SiCp) in a humid environment

摘要

A study of the influence of the silicon carbide (SiC{sub}p) proportion and the matrix concentration of four aluminium metal matrix composites (A360/SiC/10p, A360/SiC/20p, A380/SiC/10p, A380/SiC/20p) exposed to high relative humid environment was carried out under simulation in a climatic chamber. The matrix of A360/SiC/xxp composites was virtually free of copper while the A380/SiC/xxp matrix contained 3.13-3.45wt% Cu and 1.39-1.44wt% Ni. The kinetics of the corrosion process was studied on the basis of gravimetric tests. The nature of corrosion products was analysed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Low Angle X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) before and after accelerated testing to determine the influence of microstructural changes on corrosion behaviour during exposure to the corrosive environment. The corrosion damage to Al/SiCp composites was tow at 80% Relative Humidity (RH) and increased with temperature, SiCp proportion, relative humidity and Cu matrix concentration. The main attack nucleation sites were the interface region between the matrix and the reinforcement particles. The corrosion process was influenced more by the concentration of alloy elements in the matrix than by the proportion of SiCp reinforcement.