Corrosion behaviour of CNT reinforced AA 7075 nanocomposites

Carbon nanotubes reinforced AA 7075 alloy was fabricated by powder metallurgy route. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were synthesized by electric arc discharge method. Different mass fraction of CNTs was added to the AA 7075 and the powder mixtures were consolidated using uniaxial press. The consolidated samples were sintered at 600˚ C in inert atmosphere followed by hot compaction at 450˚ C. The electrochemical corrosion behaviour of AA 7075 and CNT reinforced AA 7075 was studied using Electrochemical Polarization Technique (ACM Gill) and Electrochemical Impedance Technique. The relative densities of the composites were measured. The phase analysis and surface morphology of the composites were done by XRD and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The corrosion behaviour of the composites and the possible mechanism for the effect of CNT in the properties have been studied in detail in this paper.