TiCN nanoparticle-induced corrosion inhibition mechanisms of AZ91 alloy

This work investigates the influence of TiCN nanoparticles addition on corrosion behavior of AZ91 alloys solidified at various cooling rates in 0.1 M NaCl solution. Results show that AZ91–2 (vol%) TiCN nanocomposite produced at 5 K/s exhibit highest corrosion resistance while its corrosion performance is dramatically decreased and even worse than that of matrix alloy when cooled at 60 K/s. Unlike intragranular distribution of NPs revealed in AZ91 nanocomposite produced at 60 K/s, intergranular distributed NPs revealed in 5 K/s can act as corrosion barrier between β-Mg17Al12 and α-Mg and significantly reduce their potential difference, thus effectively inhibiting the corrosion.