Corrosion behavior of in situ (TiC-TiB₂)_p/AZ91 magnesium matrix composites in Harrison solution

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to study both the mechanical properties and the corrosion behavior of the synthesized in situ (TiC-TiB₂) particulates/AZ91 magnesium matrix composite and compare the results with that of the conventional AZ91D alloy.

Design/methodology/approach

Scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to study the surface morphology and crystalline structure. Mechanical compression tests were used to investigate the mechanical performance according to ASTM E9-89a. The corrosion behavior of the synthesized magnesium alloy was examined using both electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization techniques in dilute Harrison solutions.

Findings

The microstructure of the Mg composite showed a uniform distribution of reinforcing phases. Also, the reinforcing phases were formed without residual intermediate phases. The addition of titanium and boron carbides not only enhanced the mechanical properties of the matrix but also improve its corrosion behavior.

Originality/value

This is the first time that magnesium matrix composite has been to synthesized with TiC and TiB₂ particulates starting from starting from Ti and B carbides powder without adding aluminium using practical and low-cost technique (in situ reactive infiltration technique). This paper studies the corrosion behavior of synthesized Mg matrix in dilute Harrison solution and compares the results with that of conventional AZ91D.

Citation

Gobara, M. and Shamekh, M. (2014), "Corrosion behavior of in situ (TiC-TiB₂)_p/AZ91 magnesium matrix composites in Harrison solution", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 61 No. 5, pp. 319-327. https://doi.org/10.1108/ACMM-04-2013-1258