The effect of SiC_p content on the corrosion behaviour of copper-matrix composites

THE CORROSION behaviour of low-vol.% and high-vol.% of a SiC_p reinforced copper matrix composite immersed in 5% NaCl solution of pH6.7 was studied. The results show that the corrosion resistance of the low-vol.% SiC_p content of Cu/SiC_p composite decreases with increasing SiC_p volume fraction. On the other hand, the corrosion resistance of the high-vol.% SiC_p content of Cu/SiC_p composite increases with increasing SiC_p volume fraction. The corrosion potential trends towards being more active as the SiC_p content of the Cu/SiC_p composite increases, both at low-vol.% of SiC_p and at high-vol.% of SiC_p of copper matrix composite. Pits and crevices always initiate at the interfacial boundary between the SiC_p particles and the Cu matrix, which makes SiC_p peeling and copper matrix pitting.