Electrochemical Investigations of High Performance AZ31 Based Nanocomposites

Automotive industries are highly interested in magnesium alloys due to their attractive combination of low density, high specific stiffness and strength, and good damping capacity. Among the magnesium alloys, AZ31 wrought alloys with improved mechanical properties are considered to be the most ideal for automotive applications. However, a broader application of this alloy as an ideal and competitive substitute for existing materials requires overcoming challenges including improvement in toughness, high temperature deformability and corrosion resistance. Research in recent years has led to significant improvements in ambient temperature toughness and high temperature of AZ31 alloy with the incorporation of nano-size alumina and carbon nanotube reinforcements. Understanding of corrosion behaviour of these reinforced high performance AZ31 alloy has remained crucial for their broader industrial application. However, absence of any study to find the effect of the added nano-reinforcement on response of AZ31 to the corrosive media has motivated the initiation of the current work. Accordingly, the primary aim of the present investigation is to investigate electrochemical corrosion characteristics of nanosize alumina and carbon nanotube reinforced AZ31 nanocomposites. The proposed project duration is 18 working months and the total budget is 199,700.00 Saudi Riyal.