Effect of Cooling Rate at the Eutectoid Transformation Temperature on the Corrosion Resistance of Zn-4Al Alloy

The main purpose of this work was to experimentally determine the effect of the cooling rate during the eutectoid transformation on the corrosion resistance of a hypoeutectic Zn-4Al cast alloy in 5% NaCl solution. This was considered in relation to the alloy microstructure. For this purpose, metallographic and electrochemical studies were performed. It was found that the faster cooling promoted the formation of finer (α + η) eutectoid structures, which translated into a higher hardness and lower corrosion current density. In the initial stage of corrosion processes the eutectoid structure in the eutectic areas were attacked. At the further stages of corrosion development, the phase η was dissolved, and the α phase appears to be protected by the formation of corrosion products.