Effect of deformation on densification and corrosion behavior of Al-ZrB2 composite

In the present investigation, aluminium based metal matrix composites (MMCs) were produced through powder metallurgical route. Different composites were processed by adding different amount of ZrB2 (0, 2, 4 and 6 wt. %) at three aspect ratios of 0.35, 0.5, and 0.65, respectively. The powder mixture was compacted and pressureless sintered at 550 °C for 1 h in controlled atmosphere (argon gas). The relative density of the sintered preforms was found to be 90%, approximately. Sintered preforms are used as workpiece materials for deformation study at different temperatures in order to find the effect of temperature on the densification behaviour. Potentio-dynamic polarization studies were performed on the deformed preforms to find the effect of mechanical working. The corrosion rate was found to decrease with increase in deformation