Enhanced Corrosion Resistance of Hybrid LM13 Composites Reinforced With Zirconium Carbide and Flyash Using Squeeze Casting

Abstract

In the current study, the corrosion behavior of the LM13 alloy reinforced with zirconium carbide (ZrC) and flyash composites was evaluated. The composites were manufactured by varying ZrC (3–9 wt.%) and flyash (3 wt.%) by the process of stir casting and squeeze casting, and corrosion studies were carried out in the acidic medium by potentiodynamic polarization. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to study the corrosion-induced surface morphology, and the pit density was quantified to correlate the microstructure. The unreinforced LM13 alloy reveals localized pitting and the highest corrosion density, which indicates the formation of passive film stability. The hybrid composites reveal a reduced corrosion current density and pit density due to the presence of reinforcements. Among the manufactured composites, LM13–6 wt.% ZrC–3 wt.% flyash composite showed the lowest corrosion current density and a homogenous passive layer.