Corrosion behavior of in situ (TiC-TiB2)p/AZ91 magnesium matrix composites in Harrison solution

Purpose – This paper aims to study both the mechanical properties and the corrosion behavior of the synthesized in situ (TiC-TiB2) particulates/AZ91 magnesium matrix composite and compare the results with that of the conventional AZ91D alloy. Design/methodology/approach – Scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to study the surface morphology and crystalline structure. Mechanical compression tests were used to investigate the mechanical performance according to ASTM E9-89a. The corrosion behavior of the synthesized magnesium alloy was examined using both electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization techniques in dilute Harrison solutions. Findings – The microstructure of the Mg composite showed a uniform distribution of reinforcing phases. Also, the reinforcing phases were formed without residual intermediate phases. The addition of titanium and boron carbides not only enhanced the me...