Electrochemical behavior and compressive strength of Al-Cu/xCu composites in NaCl solution

This experimental investigation is focused on the evaluation of the compressive strength and corrosion behavior of Al-5Cu/xCu composites with Cu content, varying of 0, 1, 3, and 5 wt.% Cu. Powder of an as-cast Al-5Cu alloy is used to constitute Al-5Cu/xCu composites. EIS parameters and potentiodynamic polarization curves in a stagnant 0.5 M NaCl solution at 25 °C are discussed. It is found that Cu content significantly affects the resulting mechanical and corrosion properties. The increase of Cu content decreases the compressive strength. The highest corrosion resistance and mechanical-to-corrosion ratio are that of the Al-5Cu/3Cu composite.