| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1520505 | Materials Chemistry and Physics | 2016 | 9 Pages |
•AZ91/SiC composites were produced using rheocasting technique.•Microstructure and the quality of the cast components were analyzed.•Results showed the formation of several Al carbides and intermetallics as interfacial reactions in the MMCs.•MMCs were more prone to corrosion than the monolithic alloy.•The poor corrosion resistance of the MMCs is carefully attributed to the SiC-induced microstructural changes.
The microstructure and atmospheric corrosion behavior of two types of SiC (10 vol%)-reinforced magnesium alloy metal matrix composites (Mg alloy AZ91D-based MMCs) produced by rheocasting (RC) were investigated and compared to the monolithic alloy. Micron-sized and nano-sized SiC particles were used for fabrication of the MMCs. Microstructural studies using a broad range of analytical techniques showed the formation Al carbides and MgO at the α-Mg/SiC interface. The higher corrosion rate of the MMCs than RC AZ91D was attributed to a lesser degree of connectivity of the β phase, the high impurity level of SiC-reinforced MMCs and also the higher fraction of casting pores in the MMCs as compared to the RC alloy.
