Development of aluminium 5083/B4C/carbonized coconut shell ash hybrid composite using friction stir processing

Abstract

Aluminium alloy 5083 base matrix hybrid composite is widely used in shipbuilding and automobile applications due to its exceptionally high corrosion resistance even over the attack by seawater and industrial chemicals. Thus relevantly, AA5083surface composite synthesizedwith constant proportions (5 %) of boron carbide and varying percentages (3 and 8 %) of carbonized coconut shell ash as reinforcement particles by friction stir processing (FSP). Effects of varying percentage on carbonized coconut shell ash along with of boron carbide were analyzed. Metallurgical and mechanical properties were analyzed using optical microscopy, SEM with EDS, micro hardness test, and tensile test. Results showed a 30 % increase in the hardness value and a tensile strength of 240 MPa in the processedsurface composite. B4C particles are disseminated uniformly with strong interfacial bonding in FSPed composites, and the carbonized shell is partially reacted with an Al5083 matrix to generate an in-situ intermetallic compound. The use of coconut shell ash as reinforcement improves the qualities of the surface composite while also promoting sustainability by allowing one of the agricultural by-products to be disposed of.