High Corrosion Resistance of Ti3C2Tx/Al6061 Composites Achieved via Equal Channel Angular Pressing

This study systematically investigates the synergistic corrosion resistance enhancement mechanisms in aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) through the combined implementation of equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) and Ti3C2Tx MXene reinforcement. The results demonstrate that ECAP treatment significantly refines the microstructure, reducing grain sizes to an average of 8.7 µm after three passes, while improving mechanical properties such as hardness by 40.6–45.1%. Additionally, the incorporation of Ti3C2Tx enhances corrosion resistance by establishing a physical barrier that impedes the diffusion of corrosive mediators and prevents localized corrosion. Electrochemical tests reveal that the composite subjected to three ECAP passes exhibits the lowest corrosion current density (Icorr) and a remarkable 3.4-fold increase in charge transfer resistance (Rct) compared to untreated material. These findings highlight the potential of synergistically integrating ECAP and Ti3C2Tx to develop high-performance AMCs with enhanced mechanical strength and corrosion resistance, offering significant implications for applications in marine equipment, aerospace, and new energy vehicles.