The present investigation aims to evaluate the corrosion control properties of metal matrix composites in comparison with matrix alloy using different concentration of Sodium chloride solutions and potentiodynamic polarization techniques. Matrix alloy used in ZA-27 and the reinforcement used was red mud particulates of size 50-80 microns. Composites are prepared by liquid melt metallurgy technique using vortex method. Red mud particulates reinforced varying from two to six percent by weight in steps of two percent under dry conditions. Specimens are prepared according to ASTM standards. Both composites and corresponding base alloys were subjected to identical test conditions to understand the influence of the reinforcement on alloy corrosion behaviour and effective corrosion control. Composites became less prone to corrosion and pit formation than the matrix alloy, which may be due to chemically inert red mud particles present in the metal matrix composites. On the other hand the test also reveals that corrosion resistance of both alloy and composites in crease with increase in normality of the sodium chloride solution, which may be due to increasing concentration of hydrogen ions in the solution. Corrosion of alloys can be effectively controlled by converting them in to composites by the addition of inert materials like silica particulates. If any automobile parts like bearing are made using these composites corrosion control properties can be tailored so that they can be used effectively in wide area of application.
Corrosion Characterization of Al6061/Red Mud Metal Matrix Composites
