Effect of Combined Addition of Trace Sc and Zr Elements on Mechanical Properties and Corrosion Behavior of B4C/7075Al Composite
The key to restrict the engineering application of high-strength B4C/Al composites is corrosion,and adding trace alloying elements is an effective measure to improve corrosion resistance.In this work,the B4C/7075 and B4C/7075-0.15Sc-0.35Zr composite containing trace Sc and Zr elements were prepared by pressure infiltration.The influence of combined addition of Sc and Zr on microstructure,mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of B4C/7075 composites was investigated by using scanning electron microscopy,transmission electron mi-croscopy,bending performance testing,tensile performance testing,neutral salt spray testing and electrochemical testing.Results showed that adding Sc and Zr elements to B4C/7075 composites,the higher bending strength and tensile strength values were obtained in B4C/7075-0.15Sc-0.35Zr.In addition,the corrosion rate and the corrosion current(Jcorr)decreased,indicating that the corrosion resistance of B4C/Al composite increased,which might be caused by that the grain boundary precipitates in the composite material were small and discontinuous after adding Sc and Zr elements,and the precipitate free zone(PFZ)disappeared.