Preparation and Properties of Al-SiC Composite Coatings from AlCl3-LiAlH4-Benzene-THF System

Al-SiC composite coatings were successfully fabricated through the process of electrodeposition utilizing an AlCl3-LiAlH4-benzene-THF system. This method allows for the incorporation of silicon carbide (SiC) particles into the aluminum matrix, enhancing the coating’s properties. The study examined various factors that influence the coating characteristics, including current density, temperature, and the quantity of SiC particles added to the formula. The findings revealed that these parameters significantly affect the resulting surface morphology, corrosion resistance, and hardness of the Al-SiC composite coatings. Specifically, the analysis demonstrated that the Al-SiC composite coating produced optimal surface morphology, which is crucial for its performance and durability in various applications. when the current density is 50 mA/cm2, the bath temperature is at 30 °C, and the addition amount of SiC particles is optimized to 40 g/L. Combined with electrochemical experimental data, the corrosion resistance of the composite coating prepared under this condition was significantly improved. The results of scanning electron microscopy showed that the surface of the composite coating prepared under this process parameter was uniform and dense, without obvious holes and cracks, and the SiC particles were uniformly distributed in the coating with high density. Through the hardness test of composite coatings with different SiC particle contents, it was found that in the research interval, when the SiC particle content was less than 3 wt%, the hardness of the coating changed relatively slowly. As the amount of SiC particles surpassed 4 wt%, there was a notable increase in hardness. At a SiC concentration of 5%, the coating exhibited a hardness level of 152.1 HV.