Study of the corrosion, electrical, and mechanical properties of aluminium metal composite reinforced with coconut rice and eggshell for wind turbine blade development

Abstract

The gradual global shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as wind energy for power generation has stirred up a perpetual exigency for sustainable materials for manufacturing wind turbine blades. AMMCs are categories of materials that, over time, have proven reliable as they have been successful in meeting engineering needs in applications requiring high stiffness, moderate strength, and lightweight. The Al8112 alloy was used as the base metal in this study, reinforced with coconut rice and eggshell, to study the corrosion, electrical, and mechanical properties as a viable material for the development of the wind turbine blade. The stir-casting method was used in the preparation. Microstructures, Vickers hardness, tensile strength, electrical conductivity, and corrosion analysis (via the weight loss method) of the prepared composites were analysed. The 3 samples A, B, and C were analysed under 3 media for the corrosion study, such as rainwater, coolant (soluble oil plus water), and nano-lubricants. The results showed that introducing the reinforcements in the matrix of coconut rice and eggshell caused a rise in the hardness and tensile strength. SEM and EDX microstructural analysis revealed a uniform distribution of reinforcement particles in the matrix with the elemental reactions. The corrosion resistance of sample C of the composition (92% aluminium alloy, 5% coconut rice, and 3% eggshell) proved to be higher than that of sample B of the composition (95% aluminium alloy, 2.5% coconut rice, and 2.5% eggshell, and that of the aluminium alloy sample A, with sample C having a corrosion rate of 0.020 mg, sample B having a corrosion rate of 0.021 mg, and sample A having a corrosion rate of 0.022 mg. The composition of the AMMC that exhibits these properties is 92% aluminium, 5% coconut rice, and 3% eggshell. This newly developed material is recommended for applications involving the wind blade.