Reinforcing aluminium with cerium oxide: A new and effective technique to prevent corrosion in marine environments

Cerium oxide (CeO2) is one of the potential choices to be explored for the protection of aluminium from corrosion. However, usage of cerium ions for surface modification of aluminium would not yield any potential effect in aggressive marine environments. Metal matrix composites of aluminium can have all the merits of aluminium such as density, strength, ductility and cost. In the present study, corrosion of aluminium in saline environment was significantly suppressed by means of reinforcing the aluminium with cerium oxide. The presence of cerium oxide in the matrix did not facilitate the formation of Al2O3 which would cause potential reshift after few days due to the onset of pitting. The present results strongly lay emphasis on the potential scope of use of CeO2 for protection of aluminium in marine environments.