Effect of deformation on densification and corrosion behavior of Al-ZrB2 composite

Abstract

In the present investigation, aluminium based metal matrix composites (MMCs) were produced through powder metallurgical route. Different composites were processed by adding different amount of ZrB2 (0, 2, 4 and 6 wt. %) at three aspect ratios of 0.35, 0.5, and 0.65, respectively. The powder mixture was compacted and pressureless sintered at 550 °C for 1 h in controlled atmosphere (argon gas). The relative density of the sintered preforms was found to be 90%, approximately. Sintered preforms are used as workpiece materials for deformation study at different temperatures in order to find the effect of temperature on the densification behaviour. Potentio-dynamic polarization studies were performed on the deformed preforms to find the effect of mechanical working. The corrosion rate was found to decrease with increase in deformation.