The effect of excimer laser surface treatment on corrosion resistance of aluminium 2009/SiCw composite

Excimer laser surface treatment was utilized to improve the corrosion resis tance of an Al-2009/SiCw composite. After laser treatment, the corrosion po tential of the composite was increased to a more noble level, and the corro sion current was greatly decreased. This is considered to be due to the red uction of SiC whiskers and Cu-bearing compounds in the laser-modified layer . Moreover, the N-2-treated specimen exhibited a much greater resistance to corrosion than the air-treated specimen. This was attributed to the format ion of the AIN phase in the laser-modified layer. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.