Erosion corrosion of PM Aluminium Reinforced with Alumina Saffil in NaCI and sand solution

Abstract

The erosion-corrosion behaviour of anodised and non anodised PM aluminium matrix composite in sodium chloride (NaCl) containing sand has been studied. The AI composite reinforced with 15 wt % short fibre alumina Saffil were fabricated via powder metallurgy (PM) route. The erosion-corrosion test of anodised and non anodised PM Al composite were conducted in 5 wt % sodium chloride solution with 20 wt% sands. Three different velocities were used in corrosion test; 100 rpm, 200 rpm and 300 rpm. The mass change during erosion-corrosion testing was measured. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and optical microscope (OM) was used to investigate the effects of velocities on the erosion corrosion behaviour on anodised and non anodised samples. The research was found that, the erosion corrosion attack on PM Al has lead to formation of pittings on the sample surface. The existence of pittings is due to corrosion attack and material removal mechanism. The conjoint action between corrosion attack and material removal has lead to greater mass loss of the sample. Increase in velocity has lead to increase in erosion corrosion rate. PM Al has known to exhibit good resistance against erosion corrosion attack. The composition of PM Al provides a good resistance to erosion corrosion attack to PM Al.