The oxidation of matrix composite AlMg reinforcement with SiC

© 2014 The Authors.Metal matrix composite (MMC) are engineered materials manufactured by the action of incorporated reinforcement materials into metal matrix. As a result, stiff and hardened reinforcing phase in metallic matrix is obtained. The matrix includes non-ferrous structures; meanwhile reinforcing phases comprise hardened non-metallic particulates. The purpose of this paper is to investigate microstructural and electrochemical behavior of Al-Mg matrix reinforced with SiC particles. The Aluminum-Magnesium matrix composite was manufactured by the vortex method. SiC particles were mixed into steel tubes at 1500 rpm to molten Al-Mg as-cast alloy. The MMC was characterized with the purpose of studying chemical and electrochemical interactions of SiC particles with the metal-matrix. Results show that anodic dissolution in the cast Al-Mg matrix was accelerated by the formation of a non-stable oxide layer exhibiting partial protection with small resistance to polarization conditions, while the corrosion phenomena in Al-MMC was inhibited by the addition of silicon carbide particles.