Experimental Investigation of Corrosion Resistance and Mechanical Properties of Nanoparticle-Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Composites

Abstract

There has been growing interest in using aluminum matrix composites in various applications because of their lightweight nature, mechanical properties, and enhanced capability to resist corrosion. Ceramic nanoparticles can be incorporated into aluminum alloys, which will help modify mechanical strength, surface properties, and corrosion resistance. In this experiment, the corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of AA6061 aluminium matrix composites reinforced with silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles are studied. The percentage of reinforcement with different levels of 0%, 2%, 4%, and 6% of nanoparticles will be used to analyze the effect of nanoparticles on the composite. The mechanical characterization includes hardness tests and tensile tests to establish the effect of reinforcement concentration on the strength and deformation behavior of the material. The corrosion performance is tested using weight loss measurements and electrochemical testing to understand the behavior of the material in terms of corrosion. The correlation between nanoparticle concentration, microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion properties is analyzed through experimentation. The effect of reinforcement concentration and the nature of the interface on the properties of the composites is studied. The aim of the study is to identify the reinforcement concentration that achieves a good balance between mechanical performance and corrosion resistance.