Rev.Adv.Mater.Sci. (RAMS)
No 3, Vol. 25, 2010, pages 261-269

MICROSTRUCTURE, CORROSION AND WEAR BEHAVIOUR OF UFG-POWDER-METALLURGICAL Al-Cu ALLOYS,
Al-Cu/Al2O3(p) AND Al-Cu/SiC(p) COMPOSITES

D. Nickel, G. Alisch, H. Podlesak, M. Hockauf, G. Fritsche and T. Lampke

Abstract

The effect of severe plastic deformation on the corrosion and wear behaviour of composites has been studied. The composites based on an Al-Cu alloy (EN AW-2017) processed by powder metallurgy were severely plastically deformed using equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) to produce an ultrafine-grained (UFG) microstructure. Al2O3 or SiC particles in two different fractions (5 or 15 vol.%) as well as sizes (fine or nano) were used as reinforcements.

The corrosion behaviour was evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization in NaCl solution. X-ray diffraction reveals the development of the texture as a function of ceramic particle fraction and introduction of massive plastic deformation. In agreement with [1], the multiphase material without additional heat supply shows no deterioration in the corrosion characteristics after ECAP.

The wear behaviour was evaluated by oscillating friction and wear as well as scratch tests. The reinforced non-ECAP composites are more resistant against an oscillating friction movement whereas under abrasive load, the ECAP conditions behave the opposite.

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