Al-Co Alloys Prepared by Vacuum Arc Melting: Correlating Microstructure Evolution and Aqueous Corrosion Behavior with Co Content

Angeliki Lekatou, Athanasios Sfikas, Christina Petsa, Alexandros Karantzalis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

35 Citations (Scopus)
11 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Hypereutectic Al-Co alloys of various Co contents (7–20 weight % (wt.%) Co) were prepared by vacuum arc melting, aiming at investigating the influence of the cobalt content on the microstructure and corrosion behavior. Quite uniform and directional microstructures were attained. The obtained microstructures depended on the Co content, ranging from fully eutectic growth (7 wt.% and 10 wt.% Co) to coarse primary Al9Co2 predominance (20 wt.% Co). Co dissolution in Al far exceeded the negligible equilibrium solubility of Co in Al; however, it was hardly uniform. By increasing the cobalt content, the fraction and coarseness of Al9Co2, the content of Co dissolved in the Al matrix, and the hardness and porosity of the alloy increased. All alloys exhibited similar corrosion behavior in 3.5 wt.% NaCl with high resistance to localized corrosion. Al-7 wt.% Co showed slightly superior corrosion resistance than the other compositions in terms of relatively low corrosion rate, relatively low passivation current density and scarcity of stress corrosion cracking indications. All Al-Co compositions demonstrated substantially higher resistance to localized corrosion than commercially pure Al produced by casting, cold rolling and arc melting. A corrosion mechanism was formulated. Surface films were identified.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages23
JournalMetals
Volume6
Issue number3
Early online date27 Feb 2016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 27 Feb 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Raman spectroscopy
  • pseudo-passivation
  • reverse polarization
  • aqueous corrosion
  • directional growth
  • vacuum arc melting
  • complex metallic alloys
  • Al9Co2
  • hypereutectic
  • Al-Co alloys

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