Journal of Materials Science, Vol.47, No.22, 7744-7750, 2012
Anticorrosion behavior of ultrafine-grained Al-26 wt% Si alloy fabricated by ECAP
Ultrafine-grained (UFG) Al-26 wt% Si alloy was obtained through multipass equal-channel angular pressing (EACP) procedure and subsequently tested in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution for the evaluation of electrochemical corrosion. The results show that the ECAPed alloy with increased number of pressing passes obtain lower mass-loss ratios, nobler E (corr) and E (pit), lower I (corr) values, and higher anode polarization. The improved corrosion resistance of the ECAPed alloy results from the homogeneous UFG structure with the breakage of brittle large primary silicon crystals, which contributes to a higher pitting resistance. The oxidation product with improved adhesion force and protection efficacy can be formed with greater ease on UFG alloys. It implies that grain refinement through severe-plastic-deformation can enhance anticorrosion behavior of hypereutectic Al-Si alloys, besides the well-known strengthening and toughening effects.