Archachatina marginata bio-shells as reinforcement material in metal matrix composites

Abstract

Snail shells (SnS), which represent the discarded bio-shell waste of snails' remnants from restaurants and eateries constitute a serious degree of environmental threat with little or economic value. The effective utilisation of this waste into a green metal matrix composite as a low cost reinforcement material applicable in the automotive industry in lieu of its present hazardous impact had stimulated the research interest. Hence, this paper studies the potential utilisation of SnS as a low cost reinforcement material in the metal matrix composites (MMCs) by means of a characterisation technique. The mineralogical composition and physical properties of the snail shell powder was carried out using the density determination, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), refractoriness, energy dispersive X-ray (SEM/EDX), X-ray fluorescent (XRF) and the X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis at 0, 800, 850 and 900 C. The TGA result shows that the SnS attained its thermal stability at 840 o C. The above results imply that SnS with (9.4-25.9) % lesser density when compared with agro or industrial wastes reinforcement material (flyash, coconut shell ash, maize husk, bagasse) in the metal matrix composite looks promising as a reinforcing material in the production of light weight metal matrix composites at low costs. Also, the high refractoriness temperature of the snail shell particle suggested it as a suitable candidate reinforcement material in the production of thermal resistance MMCs applicable in automotive components such as pistons and connecting rods.

Chemical and Phase Characterization of Snail Shell (Archachatina Marginata) as Bio-Waste from South-West in Nigeria for Industrial Applications

“…The dark features observed at the surface might be due to the presence of carbon strands. This similar feature has been reported by Kolawole et al [9]. However, the ED spectrum shows that both SSpA and SSpB predominantly contain calcium while others element such as Carbon, Potassium, Oxygen, Magnesium, Sulfur, Sodium, Aluminum and Silicon are in traceable amounts.…”

Crushing behaviour of composite square honeycomb structure: a finite element analysis

“…A composite is a material having two or more distinct materials that are combined together on a microscopic scale to form an outstanding third material [11]. The composite in this study is made up of two materials which are matrix and glass fibre reinforcement [12][13][14][15]. Each material has significant distinct chemical and physical properties.…”

Abrasive wear behaviour of aluminium hybrid nanocomposites produced by ultrasonication assisted casting method

“…Particulate reinforced Al-MMCs have gained broad applications in automotive and aerospace industries due to their enhanced properties [10][11][12]. These include low density, high specific strength and stiffness, good fatigue properties, dimensional stability at high temperatures, and adequate tribological properties [11,13]. The wear properties of TiC particulates reinforced Al-matrix composites were analysed by Ramakoteswararao et al [14].…”