Response evaluation of AA8011 with nano ZrB2 inclusion for multifunctional applications: Considering its thermal, electrical, and corrosion properties

Abstract Researches have shown severally that AA8011 alloy is limited in its multifunctional applications notwithstanding its intrinsic properties. Nevertheless, these properties can be improved by complimenting with high-grade reinforcement that have better Performance characteristics. In this investigation, AA8011 properties are improved by ZrB2 inclusion through a two-step stir casting process to enhance the thermal and corrosion resistance without significantly affecting the electrical properties. The thermal behaviour was analyzed using a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) and differential thermal analyzer (DTA), the corrosion response was studied with auto lab potentiodynamic polarization in 3.5% NaCl, the surface degradation after corrosion was observed with scanning electron microscope (SEM), and the electrical performance was carried out on the four-point probe meter. From the experiments, a decrease in the composite mass loss; improved melting temperature of about 674.4ᵒC in the presence of ZrB2 addition as a function of the temperature rise was achieved by TGA and DTA respectively. The high corrosion resistance of 7831.7 Ω and low corrosion rate of 0.5017 mm/yr at AA8011-20 wt% ZrB2 was obtained, this was characterized by little or no visible pitting corrosion as revealed by SEM. The enhancement of the thermal stability and the improvement of the corrosion resistance prowess of AA8011 without an obvious compromise on its electrical behaviour is an indication that AA8011-ZrB2 composite is a novel composite material for multifunctional application mostly where improved aluminium alloys are required.