Here, 20 Cu-20 Ni-54 NiFe2O4-6 NiO (wt%) cermets were prepared via the powder metallurgy process, and the electrolytic corrosion behavior of the cermets at 880 °C and 960 °C was studied through the microstructure analysis by SEM and EDS. Results show that the ceramic phase is seriously affected by chemical corrosion at 880 °C electrolysis, and it is difficult to form a dense ceramic surface layer. A dense ceramic surface layer is formed on the bottom of the anode electrolyzed at 960 °C, and the dense layer thickens with the extension of the electrolysis time. The formation of the dense surface layer is mainly caused by the oxidation of Ni. The oxidation rate of the metallic phase and the corrosion rate of the ceramic phase have an important effect on the formation of the dense layer. In the corrosion process of NiFe2O4 phase, preferential corrosion of Fe element occurs first, and then NiO phase is precipitated from NiFe2O4 phase. After the NiO is dissolved and corroded, the NiFe2O4 grains collapse and the ceramic phase peels off from the anode.
Keywords: Al electrolysis; anodic dissolution; erosion; inert anode; metal matrix composites.