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

Abstract

Microstructural analysis and mechanical behaviour of aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) reinforced with palm kernel shell ash (PKSA) and silicon carbide (SiC) were studied. The AMCs containing 6, 8, 10 and 12 wt.% reinforcements, with weight ratios of 0:1, 1:3, 1:1, 3:1 and 1:0 (PKSA: SiC) were produced using stir casting method. % Porosity, hardness, tensile strength (UTS), ductility and fracture toughness were determined following standard procedures, while Scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS) was used for structural characterization. The results show that the composites produced have improved hardness. The UTS improved with increase in PKSA attaining maximum value at reinforcement weight ratio 1:1 and then decreases, the 6 wt.% reinforcement being the only exception. The ductility of the composites was lower than the unreinforced aluminum alloy with the SiC single-reinforced having the lowest. Also Fracture toughness was observed to be less than the unreinforced aluminum alloy with the SiC single reinforced having the lowest value. The PSKA:SiC weight ratio 1:1 gave the best property combination with optimum properties in terms of UTS (175.48MPa), ductility (8.61) and fracture toughness [6.5MPa(m)1/2].

Effect of Particle Sizes on some Mechanical Properties of Kernel Shell Reinforced Al-Mg-Mn Composites

“…They attributed the increase to uniform distribution of SiC particles within the AA7075 matrix. The increase in tensile strength and hardness values reported in this study is in consonance with [35,37]. More so, the enhanced tensile strength and hardness values of 103.2 N/mm 2 and 100.1HV obtained at 6 and 10 wt.…”

“…More so, the enhanced tensile strength and hardness values of 103.2 N/mm 2 and 100.1HV obtained at 6 and 10 wt. % of PKS Nanoparticle addition is a remarkable improvement compared to values obtained with aluminium composite reinforced with palm kernel ash reported in literature [37,38].…”

Modeling and optimization of green-Al 6061 prepared from environmentally source materials

“…Some of these agro-based materials are reprocessed into powdery ash forms and employed in reinforcing aluminium base matrix as alternatives to the synthetic ceramic for the motive of cost reduction. These reinforcing materials include coconut shell ash [ 7 , 8 ], rice husk ash [ 1 , 9 ], palm kernel ash [ 10 , 11 ], bamboo leaf ash [ [12] , [13] , [14] ], eggshell [ 15 ], and others. From the survey of works of literature reported, it is evident that these materials when used as reinforcements contribute to microstructural modification thereby enhancing the property of AMCs under investigation.…”