Abstract

The aim of the research work was to investigate the corrosion behavior of Beryl particulate reinforced aluminum (Al) 7075
metal matrix composites (MMCs) in salt solution using weight loss and potentiodynamic polarization methods. The salt solution
used is sodium chloride solution. The composites are manufactured by liquid metallurgy technique using vortex method. Al
7075/Beryl MMCs containing 2, 4, and 6 weight percentage of beryl particulates are casted. The corrosion characteristics of
Al 7075/Beryl particulate composite and the unreinforced alloy were experimentally assessed. The weight loss corrosion test
was carried in sodium chloride solution with 0.035%, 0.35%, and 3.5% concentrations. Potentiodynamic polarization test was
carried out in 3.5% sodium chloride solution only. The results indicated that corrosion rate of MMCs was lower than that of
matrix material Al 7075 under the corrosive atmosphere irrespective of exposure time and concentration of corrodent. Al 7075/
Beryl composite become more corrosion resistant as the beryl content is increased. This is because of the formation of the stable
oxide layer over the specimens. Scanning electron microscopy shows the degree of attack of alkaline solution on the surface of
the investigated material.