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In this study, the researchers examined the impact of adding different percentages of nickel (0 %, 0.01 %, 0.05 %, 0.1 wt%) to an aluminum-silicon (Al-Si) alloy. Aluminum alloys are widely used in various industries due to their lightweight nature and favorable mechanical properties. The microstructure of the alloy was analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) tests.The XRD and SEM analyses revealed that the Al-Si alloy consisted of two phases: α-Al and Si. The introduction of nickel resulted in the detection of an intermetallic compound (IMC) known as Al3Ni. This IMC caused changes in the lattice constant and interatomic spacing (dhkl). The observed distortions and densification in the microstructure were identified as indicators of increased hardness and strength in the alloys. The researchers attribute this enhancement in microstructure properties to the elevated temperature, which facilitated greater diffusion of nickel atoms into the aluminum lattice.

Corrosion behaviors of Al-15%Mg2Si-1%Ni alloy in 3.5% NaCl solution were studied by characterizing the corrosion morphologies of Al3Ni, Mg2Si, and Al phases. The results show that there are two galvanic coupling systems (Al/Al3Ni and Al/Mg2Si) in Al-15%Mg2Si-1%Ni alloy. In the Al/Al3Ni coupling system, the intermetallic Al3Ni phase (nobler than the Al matrix) acts as the cathode throughout the corrosion process. For the Al/Mg2Si coupling system, electrochemical polarity conversion occurs between the Al matrix and the Mg2Si phase. The corrosion pits around the Al3Ni and Mg2Si are connected to form long corrosion channels, which accelerate corrosion of the Al-Mg2Si-Ni alloys.