Study of the Corrosion Behavior of Zinc-Aluminum Alloy Matrix Composite Reinforced with Nanosilica Produced by Stir Casting

Abstract

In this investigation, Zn-Al alloy metal-matrix nano composites that reinforced via various weight percentages (2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%) of nanosilica (SiO2) particles were fabricated applying the technique of stir casting. Behaviors of the corrosion of the unreinforced alloy and reinforced composites were measured utilizing a potentiostat test in a (3.5 wt.% NaCl) salt solution. The optical microscopy was employed to investigate the surface microstructure of the composite. Microstructure analysis manifested that the uniform distributions of the reinforcing particles in the composites are alike, consisting of a dendritic structure of the zinc alloy matrix with an excellent reinforcing particles steady dispersion. The improved results of the corrosion resistance for the metal matrix composites showed an excellent resistance to corrosion than the matrix in the (3.5 wt.% NaCl) solution. Raising the weight percentage of the reinforcement particulates of nansilica (SiO2) reduced the composites rate of corrosion.