Synthesis of novel aluminium metal matrix composite using industrial metallic waste: Impact on wear and corrosion behaviour

Abstract

The reuse of waste metallic waste as reinforcement in the aluminium metal matrix composites (MMC) reduces the landfill pollution and the depletion of the natural resources. The catalyst used in the refining of crude oil in the petroleum industries becomes exhausted metallic wastes. It requires a huge land space to fill the tonnes of unused metallic waste. Metals like molybdenum, silicon, nickel, vanadium were recovered from the metallic waste. Aluminium composites were employed in the automotive industries for manufacturing parts like crankshaft and connecting rod that were prone to increased wear. The elements present in the metallic waste have high wear resistance which can be used in manufacturing a composite. In this investigation, pure aluminium matrix was reinforced with metallic waste by varying the weight percentage 5%,10%,15%. The composites were synthesized by using stir casting technique. The sliding wear test for the samples were conducted on pin-on-disc apparatus. The wear rate decreased for all the composites compared to pure aluminium. It was observed that 90%Al + 10% metallic waste composite had wear loss (1.146%) and co-efficient of friction (0.31). The wear behaviour was studied by microstructural examination of the composites under Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The corrosion behaviour of the samples was observed by using a salt spray bath for 72 hours. The rate of corrosion decreased with an addition of metallic waste. The addition of metallic waste was found to enhance the wear resistance and decrease the cost of production.