Corrosion Behavior of 30 ppi TAD3D/5A05Al Composite in Neutral Salt Spray Corrosion

This study created ceramic preforms with a 3D network structure (TAD3D) by using treated aluminum dross (TAD) and kaolin slurry, with 30 ppi polyurethane foam as a template via the sacrificial template method. TAD3D/5A05Al composites were then produced via pressureless infiltration of 5A05Al aluminum alloy into TAD3D. The corrosion behavior and resistance of TAD3D/5A05Al in salt spray were assessed via neutral salt spray corrosion (NSS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests. The results showed that after 24 to 360 h of NSS corrosion, the corrosion of the 5A05 matrix was primarily pitting, with pits expanding and deepening over time, and showing a tendency to interconnect. The main corrosion products were MgAl2O4, Al(OH)3, and Al2O3. As corrosion progressed, these products increased and filled cracks, pits, and grooves at the composite interface on the material’s surface. Corrosion products transferred to the grooves at the composite interface and grew on the ceramic surface. Corrosion products on the ceramic framework and the Al matrix can form a continuous passivation film covering the composite surface. PDP and EIS results indicated that the composite’s corrosion resistance decreased by 240 h but increased after that time. After 240 h, the surface passivation film can weaken corrosion effects and enhance the composite’s resistance, although it remained weaker than that of the uncorroded samples. Additionally, grooves at the composite interface deepened over time, with loosely structured corrosion products inside, potentially leading to severe localized corrosion.