Corrosion and Surface Modification of Hybridized Seashell Composite on AA6063 Alloy for Advance Application

Abstract

This study focuses on utilizing abundantly available seashell ash by dispersing it in AA6063 alloy to form composites. A new aluminium metal matrix composite was developed by reinforcing AA 6063 alloy with particles of seashell ash as reinforcement materials in varying percentages (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 wt.%). The samples were prepared by using the stir casting method. The microstructural characterizations were carried out using optical microscopy and the scanning electron microscope (SEM), revealing particle shape and size descriptions for the composite microstructural features. The results indicate that the composite materials exhibit relatively larger and more uniformly distributed grain sizes compared to the base material. The outcomes demonstrate a significant improvement in the tensile strength and hardness of the composites, accompanied by a decrease in corrosion rates. The best samples display a 90.95% increase in tensile strength, a 38.01% increase in hardness and a 71.5% decrease in corrosion rate in an HCl environment, along with a 46.7% decrease in a NaCl environment. Furthermore, there is a 207.7% increase in impact strength in the sample reinforced with 20 wt.% of seashell ash. Overall, the AA-SS composite with 20% wt. seashell ash exhibits the most favourable properties, featuring a 90.95% increase in tensile strength, a 38.01% increase in hardness and a lower corrosion rate when compared to the control sample.