The Effect of Surface Roughness and Composition on Wetting and Corrosion of Al−Si Alloys

Abstract

This paper presents results of wetting and corrosion of cast Al−Si alloys with composition varying from 7–50 wt% Si in contact with water. The dependency of the wetting angle and corrosion properties on the alloy composition, surface roughness, size of water droplets, and microstructure were studied. An increase in the Silicon content reduced the water contact angle (WCA) while an increase in the roughness and/or droplet size increased the WCA. No systematic variation in corrosion was found due to change in the Silicon content. The results are of interest for the development of lightweight (Al−Si) alloys with non‐wetting and corrosion‐resistant properties.