Mechanical and Dissolution Properties of 6061 Active Aluminum Alloy Reinforced with In Situ Synthesized Ceramic Particles

This study investigates the microstructure, dissolution, and mechanical properties of an in situ ceramic‐reinforced Al‐Si‐Mg‐Ga‐In‐Sn alloy. The findings indicate that, following hot extrusion, the grain size of the 6061 active alloy and the 0.5 wt% TiO 2 Al‐Si‐Mg‐Ga‐In‐Sn alloy is refined from 150 to 15 μm and from 111 μm to 11 μm, respectively. Additionally, the in situ synthesized TiAl 3 /Al 2 O 3 nanostrengthening phases are uniformly distributed within the grains. Meanwhile, the low‐melting‐point secondary phases (Mg 2 Sn and In 3 Sn) exhibit an alternating distribution pattern along the grain boundaries. Mechanical property tests reveal that the integration of in situ synthesized ceramic particles significantly enhances the tensile strength from 240 to 285 MPa accompanied by a strain of 14%. The strain is maintained by the compressive stress caused by the volume expansion of in situ synthesized TiAl 3 /Al 2 O 3 . Regarding dissolution behavior, microscopic electrochemical cells form between the Al matrix and the in situ synthesized Al 2 O 3 particles as well as between the Al matrix and the Mg 2 Sn/In 3 Sn phases. This multiphase coupling effect promotes localized corrosion, accelerating the dissolution rate to 3.19 g cm −2 · h −1 for the alloy. This in situ reinforced alloy demonstrates balanced strength, ductility, and dissolution characteristics, offering a cost‐effective, lightweight structural‐functional material for efficient oil extraction applications.