Vacuum Arc Melting Processed Fe-Al Matrix Based Intermetallic Composites, Reinforced with VC Phases: Assessment of Microstructure, Sliding Wear and Aqueous Corrosion Response

Abstract

Fe-Al based intermetallic matrix composites reinforced with VC phases by a dissolution- re-precipitation method where successfully produced through the utilisation of vacuum arc melting process. The microstructure of the produced materials was examined using optical microscopy and SEM-EDX analysis revealing various modifications of the precursor reinforcing phases.The wear properties of the composites were examined by dry sliding wear against a6Cr steel ball as counter-face, at 10cm/s, with load 2N externally applied load and an overall sliding distance of 2400m. The worn surfaces and the produced debris were examined by SEM-EDX and an effort to correlate the wear response of the produced materials with the intermetallic matrix and the reinforcing phase characteristics was attempted. In a similar manner,in order to ascertain the corrosion response of the produced materials, cyclic polarization measurements were conducted in a 1N H 2SO4 aqueous solution. The corroded surfaces were also examined by SEM-EDX and possible corrosion mechanisms and phenomena are proposed based on the microstructural features.