Influence of agro-based reinforcements on the properties of aluminum matrix composites: a systematic review

Abstract

Aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) have been extensively studied primarily due to higher strength-to-weight ratio, lower cost, and higher wear resistance properties. However, increasing demand for economical and energy-efficient materials in the automotive, aerospace and other applications is tailoring research area in the agro-based composite materials. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review work is to study the influence of agro-based reinforcements on the tribological and mechanical properties of AMC's processed by various techniques. It was observed that the processing conditions can be designed to obtain uniform structures and better properties AMCs. The agro-waste reinforcement materials, such as rice husk ash, bamboo stem ash, coconut and shell ash can result in a reduction in the density of AMC's without compromising mechanical properties. Moreover, the efficient utilization of the agro-waste leads to a decrease in manufacturing cost and prevents environmental pollution, hence, can be considered as a sustainable material. The state-of-the-art revealed that the agro-based reinforcements do not form brittle composites, as in the case of ceramic reinforced composites. Hence, the study concludes that the agrobased AMCs have great potential to act as a replacement for costly and environmentally hazardous ceramic reinforced-AMCs which can especially be used in various automotive applications that demand higher strength-to-weight ratio, lower cost, and higher wear resistance.

Mechanical behaviour of stir cast aluminum matrix composites reinforced with silicon carbide and palm kernel shell ash

“…Experimental density measurements were done using Archimedes principle while theoretical densities were determined using the rule of mixtures according to equation (1).…”

“…In the case of aluminum matrix composites, an excellent combination of high specific strength and stiffness, low thermal coefficient of expansion, good corrosion and wear properties cannot be traded off. This quest for economical and energy-efficient materials, with better physical, mechanical, thermal and tribological properties, in the automobile, aerospace and other applications is tailoring research in the direction of consideration of agro-waste derivatives as reinforcement substitute for the development of hybrid reinforced aluminum matrix composites (HAMCs) [1,2]. Hybrid aluminum matrix composites present new generation of aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) that have the potential to substitute single reinforced composites due to improved properties [3][4][5].…”

“…Research into these industrial and agro waste materials, also regarded as sustainable materials has identified constituents including SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , Fe 2 O 3 , CaCO 3 which are excellent candidates for reinforcement particulates [7]. Other advantages of these agro-waste products include ready availability at little or no cost, conservation and protection of the environment, and often lower densities in comparison with most technical ceramics such as silicon carbide, boron carbide, and alumina [1,7]. Furthermore, they are reported to offer the possibility of producing low cost-light weight composites without compromising their mechanical and tribological properties [1].…”

“…Other advantages of these agro-waste products include ready availability at little or no cost, conservation and protection of the environment, and often lower densities in comparison with most technical ceramics such as silicon carbide, boron carbide, and alumina [1,7]. Furthermore, they are reported to offer the possibility of producing low cost-light weight composites without compromising their mechanical and tribological properties [1]. Substantial work has been done and promising results reported on the use of agro-wastes as hybrid reinforcement in aluminum matrix composites production as can be verified by Alaneme et al [8], Alaneme and Adewale [9], Fatile et al [10], Alaneme and Sanusi [11], Alaneme et al [12], and Muni et al [13].…”

Production and wear optimization of an MSSA-reinforced Al–Si–Mg composite: a Taguchi approach

“…Agro waste is continuously being explored as a reinforcement material for these AMCs. Although some studies have used these agro wastes with other synthetic materials (usually ceramics), forming a hybrid reinforcement for these metal matrix composites (Parveez et al, 2021;Kareem et al, 2021;Ikubanni et al, 2021). High silica agro-waste materials such as rice husk, mango seed shells, doum palm seed shells, etc.…”