The effect of Al2O3reinforcement particles on the corrosion behavior of Al(Zn) solid solution matrix

Aluminum metal matrix composites are the fastest developing materials for structural applications due to their superior properties. In this study, Al(Zn)/Al2O3nanocomposite and also Al(Zn) solid solution were fabricated successfully using mechanochemical synthesis and spark plasma sintering. The structural evolution of the powder particles after different milling times was studied by X-ray diffraction analysis. Also, the corrosion behavior of Al(Zn)/Al2O3metal matrix nanocomposite was evaluated and compared with that of nanocrystalline Al(Zn) alloy. The nanocomposite had been prepared via mechanochemical reaction between zinc oxide and aluminum powder mixture derived from a high-energy ball milling process. The results showed that the Al(Zn)/Al2O3nanocomposite is formed after 40 h of milling time. Also, it was found that the polarization resistance of the sample containing Al2O3is significantly higher (more than 67 times) than that of nanocrystalline Al(Zn) alloy (sample without Al2O3).