Technological advances in the fight against corrosion of aluminum composite materials

Abstract

In the recent years, aluminium metal matrix composites have been promoted from science interest to commercial applications, especially inside the automotive sector, where materials of mechanical strength/density ratios are demanded, trying to reduce the fuel consumption and the pollutant emissions. Nevertheless, a lower oxidation and corrosion resistance have been observed for these materials, frequently associated to the active matrix/reinforcement interfaces. In the present work, novel methodologies and techniques for fighting against to the degradation problems of aluminium matrix composites are evaluated, such as, surface modification by lanthanide salts and laser surface melting treatments.