Effect of nickel content in the corrosion process of TiC/Cu-Ni composites immersed in synthetic seawater

The work presents an electrochemical study of the corrosion behaviour of two TiC/Cu-Ni metal matrix composites with a content of 10 and 20 wt.% Ni immersed in synthetic seawater. The composites were synthesized by a capillary infiltration technique, obtaining dense materials TiC/Cu-10Ni and TiC/Cu-20 Ni with a residual porosity of 1.8 and 1.7%, respectively. The corrosion rate (CR) was evaluated from the techniques of polarization curves (PC), linear polarization resistance (LPR) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Electrochemical measurements were carried out under static conditions, ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure at 24 hours exposure in the electrolytic medium. The corrosion rate is affected by the Ni content in the matrix, with less corrosion in the composite with a higher Ni content. The higher content of Ni in the Cu-Ni alloy provides higher passivation and stability to the corrosion products film that are absorbed on the composite surface. Microscopic examination (SEM) showed a characteristic morphology of a corrosion mechanism of the localized type (pits and crevices) generated by a differential aeration, where the TiC/Cu-10Ni composite showed greater degradation.