Electrochemical corrosion behavior of the carburized porous TiAl alloy

Carburization was carried out to improve corrosion resistance of porous Ti-46.5 Al (at.%) intermetallic compound. X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were applied to analyze the carburized layers. Electrochemical corrosion behavior of the untreated and the carburized samples were investigated using potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and open circuit potential. The results reveal that the continuous and thick carburized layers form after carburization treatment at 1203 K for 10 h, whose main phase is a functional complex ceramic phase, Ti2AlC. Carburization can improve corrosion resistance of the porous TiAl alloy. Among the carburized samples, the carburized one at 1203 K for 10 h presents the highest corrosion resistance and has the most stable oxide film.