CORROSION BEHAVIOR OF ALUMINUM-BASED METAL-MATRIX COMPOSITES

The corrosion characteristics, in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution, of aluminium alloy composites containing a range of reinforcements have been invest igated using potentiostatic measurements and simple immersion tests. C omplementary microstructural studies carried out on corroded surfaces and sections through corroded material have identified a number of pre ferential corrosion sites; these include the fiber/matrix interface, e specially where it contains chemical reaction products resulting from composite fabrication, as well as second phases and pores in the metal matrix. The effect on corrosion behaviour of the different reinforcem ents, with particular reference to their chemistry and geometry, is di scussed, as is the influence of composite manufacturing route.