Corrosion behaviour of thermomechanically processed AA6063-SiC_p composites in NaCL and H₂SO₄ environment

The influence of thermomechanical treatment on the corrosion behaviour of silicon carbide particulate reinforced Aluminium (6063) composites in 3.5 wt% NaCl and 0.3M H₂SO₄ solution was investigated. AA6063 - SiC particulate composites having 6 and 9 volume percent of SiC were produced using two-step stir casting process. The composites were cold rolled to 20% and 35% deformation before solution heat-treating at 550°C for 1hour cooling rapidly in water. Mass loss and corrosion rate measurements were utilized as criteria for evaluating the corrosion behaviour of the composites. It is observed that AA (6063) - SiC_p composites exhibited superior corrosion resistance in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution when compared to 0.3M H₂SO₄ solution. Furthermore, the thermomechanical treatment resulted in significant improvement in the corrosion resistance of the composites in H₂SO₄ solution.