Corrosion performance and microstructural response of A380 matrix alloy reinforced with sol-gel TiO2-coated SiC particles: a perspective on previous studies

In this study, the corrosion susceptibility of aluminium matrix composites reinforced with sol-gel TiO2-coated silicon carbide particles has been investigated. The corrosion of the composite, fabricated by means of a liquid metal infiltration technique, was established in chloride-containing alkaline environments using the potentiodynamic polarisation technique. Microstructural and interfacial characterisation of the composite was carried out by using an optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersion spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometer. The corrosion performance and its effect on the composite microstructure are discussed in relation to previous observations.