Influence of Heat Treatment on Corrosion Resistance of A356/RHA/Al2O3 Based Hybrid Composites

Abstract

Aluminium metal matrix composites (MMC’s) have gained importance in various industries because of their good mechanical and tribological properties such as high strength, low density, wear and corrosion resistance and good structural rigidity. Aluminium MMC’s are preferred in the fields of marine, aerospace, military and in many other domestic applications. In this study it is intended to develop and study the corrosion resistance of A356/RHA/Al2O3 reinforced hybrid aluminium metal matrix composites. The composite is prepared by using liquid metallurgy route (Stir casting technique) and liquid state has some important advantages such as better matrix particle bonding, easier control of matrix structure, Simplicity, low cost of processing, nearer to next shape and wide selection of material.A356 alloy is taken as the base matrix to which Al2O3 and RHA particulates in equal proportions (1Wt%,2Wt%,3Wt%,4Wt% &5Wt%) are used as reinforcements and corrosion resistance of prepared hybrid composites with aging conditions were examined. A scope of enhancement in corrosion resistance is observed in Double aged with strain specimens over as-cast, single aged and double aged without strain condition. It was also observed that the density of hybrid composites decreased with increasing particle content.