CORROSION PROPERTIES OF Cu-Cr-B4C-CNF HYBRID COMPOSITES PRODUCED BY PM

Osama Kriewah ¹ , Serkan ISLAK²

In this study, corrosion properties of Cu-Cr-B4C-CNF hybrid composites produced by powder metallurgy method were investigated. After cold pressing, hybrid composites were sintered at 900 °C in an argon atmosphere for two hours. SEM analysis was used to obtain information about the distribution of reinforcement elements in the Cu matrix. SEM photographs showed relatively homogeneous distribution of Cr, B4C and CNF reinforcement elements in the Cu matrix. In addition, the formation of pores in the microstructure draws attention. The corrosion properties of the composites were determined using the potentiodynamic method. For potentiodynamics and corrosion rate, Cu-Cr-B4C-CNF hybrid composites were immersed in a 3.5 wt% NaCl solution at pH 6-7. Corrosion current density, corrosion potential and corrosion rate of hybrid composites were calculated from the Tafel curves read directly from the corrosion device. Corrosion test results showed that Cu matrix had the best corrosion resistance. It was determined that when the reinforcement was added, the corrosion resistances decreased partially, but the Cu-8B4C-6Cr hybrid composite had the best corrosion resistance among the composites.

Keywords
Hybrid composite, corrosion, microstructure, copper, powder metallurgy,