Shell Ash Particles Research Articles

Design of aluminum eco-composite for sustainable engineering application by the valorization of municipal wastes: Experimental and response surface analysis

Reprocessing municipal wastes into useful engineering components is one way to reduce their environmental impact. This paper presents a report on an alternative experimental approach to reprocessing common environmental wastes like aluminum scraps, steel shavings, and coconut shells into eco-friendly engineering composite. Equally, response surface analysis was incorporated in the development and validation of predictive models fit for future prediction of response properties. Aluminum scrap was heated into a liquid state and reinforced with recycled steel particles (RSP) and coconut shell ash particles (CSP) at varying proportions. Specimen design involves three group mixes: A, B, and C. Each of the three groups mixes comprised 0, 1, and 2 % RSP at constant dosage, respectively. Meanwhile, each mix was incorporated with 4, 8, and 12 wt % CSP. The microstructural features, physical (porosity, density, and relative density), and mechanical (tensile strength, hardness, elastic modulus, fracture toughness, impact strength, and percentage ductility) properties were appraised. The outcome revealed that the combination of the two reinforcements (RSP and CSP) contributed to microstructural evolution within the specimens. The porosities of the composite specimens were reported to marginally increase with the reinforcement combination. Interestingly, the composite exhibited lighter weight with improved mechanical performance. Mathematical models derived for the response properties were certified fit for future analysis and predictions. Meanwhile, the optimization procedure revealed that the combination of 1.3 % RSP and 6.7 % CSP was suitable for the design of optimal recycled aluminum composites for sustainable engineering designs. The results clarified that the reinforcement particles (RSP and CSP) are low-cost alternatives to synthetic ceramic reinforcements in the aluminum composite."

Influence of melon shell ash reinforcement on the mechanical and microstructural characteristics of recycled aluminium matrix composites

This study produced a composite using melon shell ash as reinforcement on recycled Aluminium waste cans matrix. The melon shell particulate additions to the matrix were done in wt.% of 0, 10, 5, 15 and 20. The mechanical behaviour of the composite demonstrates that the tensile values increased as the particulate addition increased to 15% wt. to reach a maximum of 113MPa but dropped at the 20% addition. The impact energy on the other hand increases marginally at 5% particulate addition and increases slightly higher with the addition of reinforcement of 10% wt to attain a maximum value of 77J. However, a further increase in the melon shell ash to 15% wt and 20% wt reduced the impact energy. The hardness values of the composites at all the % wt. additions were generally higher than that of the unreinforced Aluminium with the peak hardness value of 57.2BHN obtained at 10% wt. addition. The density of the composites decreases as the % wt. of the melon shell ash particles increases. The improved mechanical properties and lower density of the composites achieved in this study are significant factors in developing strong and lightweight engineering materials for industrial applications.

Addition of Coconut Shell Ash Particle with AZ31 Magnesium Alloy - Assessment of Tribological and Mechanical Behaviour

Desires of materials with lesser weight made wide spread use of alloys based on magnesium in automobiles and aerospace applications in the view of overcoming lower strength of these materials when compared to aluminium, these materials are added with some hard materials like ceramics, metal oxides or natural remaining as a reinforcing phase with a proof for improvement in properties. In the present work AZ31 alloy is strengthened by adding Coconut Shell Ash particles (CSAp) by means of powder metallurgy and the examinations like microstructure, micro hardness, compressive strength and wear are conducted. The ash particles content as reinforcement has not imparted larger variation in the strength and hardness, the wear resistance is increased with the addition of ash particles and the addition of CSAp exceeding 3% leads to crack.

Analysis of Al–Mg–Si alloy reinforced with optimal palm kernel shell ash particle and its impact on dynamic properties for sounding rocket application

Due to heavy usage and rising populations, there is a growing need for local and naturally derived materials in the automotive and aerospace industries. Furthermore, due to their excellent mechanical qualities and high strength-to-weight ratio, composite materials are expected to perform better than traditional materials, particularly in automotive and aerospace applications. According to this perspective, this research aims to investigate the effects of optimal compositions of Al–Mg–Si alloy reinforced with palm kernel shell ash (PKSA) particles on dynamic mechanical characteristics of the composite produced via the powder metallurgy route. PKSA compositions of 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 wt% as reinforcement on Al–Mg–Si powder were used to evaluate the static tensile strength of the produced composites. In this study, the damping factor, change in length, flexural, storage, and loss moduli were determined. In addition, the produced composites’ bulk density, hardness, creep, and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis were also investigated. According to the study’s morphology result, recrystallisation of the powdered composition during ball milling increased dislocation density and harder phases in the PKSA, contributing to the PKSA’s better characteristics. Furthermore, the optimum weight percentage of 6.0 wt% of PKSA (Sample C4) has significant properties compared to the unreinforced (control) sample and was also found to have improved storage modulus, loss modulus, and damping behaviour. These findings showed that the developed composite, particularly sample C4, may be used in various technical applications, including automotive and aerospace industries.

Influence of Groundnut Shell Ash Particle (GSAp) Addition on Mechanical and Corrosion Behaviour of AZ31 Magnesium Alloy

Magnesium based alloys are some of the widely used light weight metals in vehicles and aerospace industries, but these materials are having low strength to weight ratio when compared to aluminium. To enhance their strength to weight ratio, some ceramic materials like carbides and oxides of metals are added as reinforcements. In this work, AZ31 magnesium alloy is reinforced with 1%, 2% and 3% of Groundnut Shell Ash particles (GSAp) through powder metallurgy. Micro hardness and compressive strength are studied and the microstructural analysis is also done. The addition of ash particles as reinforcement has not shown much variation in the strength and hardness. The addition of ash particles of more than 3% leads to crack. The addition of ash particles increases the rate of corrosion.

Influence of Nanofillers on the Mechanical Characteristics of Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites

For the first time, natural fibers are being considered as a viable alternative to traditional synthetic fibers. These bio-composites were created using epoxy resin, nano-sized fine nano-tamarind shell ash particles, and water hyacinth fibers in this experimental work. Nano tamarind shell ash particles (0, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 wt. percent) were mixed with epoxy resin and water hyacinth fibers to create six different composite mates by the compression moulding machine. The composite specimens are prepared from the mats using the water jet machining method, according to ASTM specifications. Mechanical properties of composite specimens have been determined using tensile, flexural, and impact tests under standard testing circumstances. According to the test results, the composites with nano tamarind shell ash particles in the weight percentage of five percent greatly improve their tensile and flexural capabilities. Increased incorporation of fine nano tamarind shell ash particles in composite specimens has reduced their impact energy and impact strength.

Tribo-mechanical behaviour of aluminium alloy (AlSi10Mg) reinforced with palmyra shell ash and silicon carbide particles

AlSi10Mg alloy is blended with palmyra shell ash (PSA) and silicon carbide (SiC) using stir casting route and its tribological properties on the reinforcement addition with the aluminium alloy (AlSi10Mg) hybrid composite are studied. Hybrid composites are fabricated by adding 3, 6 and 9 wt.% of silicon carbide and 9 wt.% palmyra shell ash particle into aluminium (AlSi10Mg) alloy. The dry sliding properties of the AlSi10Mg hybrid alloy composite were examined under different loading conditions against carbon steel disc using a pin-on-disc Tribometer. The results showed that the hybrid metal matrix composite reinforced with silicon carbide and palmyra shell had better tribological characteristics than the composite reinforced with single reinforcement (palmyra shell ash). Increase in wt.% of reinforcement increases the hardness as well as the tensile strength of the composites. Morphological analysis resulted that the abrasive wear mechanism was dominant and causes high wear evolution in dry sliding condition.

MECHANICAL AND MICROSTRUCTURAL PROPERTIES OF BRASS REINFORCED WITH COCONUT SHELL ASH POWDER

Metal matrix composites (MMCs) are materials in which metals are reinforced with other materials preferably of lower cost to improve their properties. In this present study, Brass /Coconut Shell Ash powder (CSAp) composites having 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% weight CSAp were fabricated by stir-casting method. The tensile strength of the MMCs is in the order 15% > 10% >5% > 0% of CSAp. Hardness of the MMCs increases slightly with increase in the percentage body weight of CSAp, in the order 15% > 10% >5% > 0% of CSAp. The highest impact energy of 61 J was obtained for 5% CSAp. However, significant improvement in tensile strength and hardness values was noticeable at the 15%. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis of the MMCs shows dendritic structures formation, the reinforcing particles (CSAp) are visible and clearly delineated in the microstructure. Hence, this study has established that reinforcing brass matrix with coconut shell ash particles can result in the production of low cost brass composites with enhanced tensile strength, hardness and impact energy values.

Fabrication and tribological studies of Al-CSA composite using RSM

Aluminium-based metal matrix composite (AMCs) reinforced with coconut shell ash particles (CSA) is prepared with a stir casting route. A face centred composite design (CCF) is employed for design o...

Wear Performance of Value-Addition Epoxy/Breadfruit Seed Shell Ash Particles and Functionalized Momordica Angustisepala Fiber Hybrid Composites

The numerical approach for the study of wear performance of breadfruit seed shell ash particles (BFSAp) and Sodium hydroxide (OH)/silane (APS)functionalized Momordica angustisepala fiber (MAf)/epoxy hybrid composites were investigated. The MAf fibers were treated with an OH-APS solution. Hardness values, wear rate and wear mechanism of the samples were determined. A 65.82% improvement in wear resistance was obtained at the load of 30N of 30wt%MAf-20wt%BFSAp composite. The wear rate and wear damage followed in this order: epoxy(matrix)˂epoxy/30wt%MAf-20wt%BFSAp˂epoxy/OH-APS treated 30wt%MAf-20wt%BFSAp composites. The wear mechanism observed in this work is a combination of abrasive and adhesive wear. High wear resistance was obtained in epoxy/OH-APS treated 30wt%MAf-20wt%BFSAp composites.

WITHDRAWN: Mechanical and corrosion behavior of Groundnut Shell ash particle (GSAp) reinforced AZ31 magnesium composite

Magnesium based alloys are some of the widely used lightweight metals in vehicles and aerospace industries, but these materials are having low strength to weight ratio when compared to Aluminium. To enhance the strength to weight ratio of magnesium, some ceramic materials like carbides and oxides of metals or some natural residues are added as reinforcements and proved to have better augmentations in the physical properties. In the present work, AZ31 magnesium alloy is reinforced with 1%, 2%, 3% of Ground Nut Shell Ash particles (GSAp) through powder metallurgy, and properties like Micro hardness, Compressive strength is studied and the Microstructural analysis is also done. The addition of ash particles as reinforcement has not shown much variation in the strength and hardness, the addition of ash particles more than 3% leads to crack and the addition of ash particles increases the rate of corrosion.

WITHDRAWN: Influence of Coconut Shell ash particle (CSAp) as reinforcement on mechanical and wear behavior of AZ31 magnesium alloy

Desires of materials with lesser weight made wide spread use of alloys based on Magnesium in automobiles and aerospace applications in the view of overcoming lower strength of these materials when compared to Aluminium, these materials are added with some hard materials like ceramics, metal oxides or natural remaining as a reinforcing phase with a proof for improvement in properties In the present work AZ31 alloy is strengthened by adding Coconut Shell Ash particles (CSAp) by means of powder metallurgy, and the examinations like Microstructure, Micro hardness, Compressive strength and wear are conducted. The ash particles content as reinforcement has not imparted larger variation in the strength and hardness, the wear resistance is increased with the addition of ash particles and the addition of CSAp exceeding 3% lead to crack.

Microstructural characteristics and mechanical behaviour of aluminium hybrid composites reinforced with groundnut shell ash and B4C

In this study, aluminium hybrid composites were fabricated by reinforcing eco-friendly agrowaste, groundnut shell ash and boron carbide using squeeze casting method. Groundnut shell ash and boron carbide were added in ratios of 2.5:7.5, 5:5 and 7.5:2.5 percentages by weight. The impact on mechanical properties namely density, hardness, tensile strength, impact strength was studied, and the results were compared with the matrix alloy. The fracture mechanism of tensile and impact specimens were studied by scanning electron microscopy. Microstructural study reveals the uniform distribution and good bonding of reinforcements with clear interface in the hybrid composite. The hardness and tensile strength increased up to a maximum of 17% and 18.32%, respectively, and then slightly decreased while increasing groundnut shell ash particles. Increasing groundnut shell ash particles in hybrid composites decreases the impact strength and density to a maximum of 12% and 7.5%. Dimples, voids, cracks, clusters and particle fracture are characterised by fracture mechanism. Brittle fractures in the form of cracks, and particle fractures were formed due to the solid interfacial bonding between the reinforcements and alloy. Ductile fractures are the reason for high impact strength and are characterised by dimples and voids. The eco-friendly groundnut shell ash has the potential to serve as reinforcement for the development of composites.

Optimization of dry compressive strength of groundnut shell ash particles (GSAp) and ant hill bonded foundry sand using ann and genetic algorithm

In this research work, modeling and multi-objective optimization of dry foundry sand parameters were done using artificial neural network (ANN) and genetic algorithm (GA). ANN was used to predict d...

Mechanical properties and characterization of zirconium oxide (ZrO2) and coconut shell ash(CSA) reinforced aluminium (Al 6082) matrix hybrid composite

This study focuses on the microstructure and mechanical properties while incorporating zirconium oxide and coconut shell ash particles in Al 6082 matrix composites. Zirconium oxide and coconut shell ash particles were varied from 0 to 10% and fabricated by stir casting process. The fabricated composites were subjected to X-ray diffractometer and SEM to confirm the presence of zirconium oxide and coconut shell ash particles. Hardness, density, impact strength, tensile strength, ductility and flexural strength analysis were carried on the developed hybrid composites to study the mechanical properties of composites. Scanning electron microscopy study were carried on the fractured tensile and impact test specimen to analyse the fracture mechanism.

Wear behavior of Al-7%Si-0.3%Mg/melon shell ash particulate composites.

The present study examined wear characteristics of A356/melon shell ash particulate composites. Dry-sliding the stainless steel ball against specimen disc revealed the abrasive wear behavior of the composites under loads of 2 and 5N. The composite showed lower wear rate of 2.182 × 10−4 mm3/Nm at 20 wt% reinforced material under load of 5N. Results showed that wear rate decreased significantly with increasing weight percentage of melon shell ash particles. Microstructural analyses of worn surfaces of the composites reveal evidence of plastic deformation of matrix phase. The wear resistance of A356 increased considerably with percentage reinforcement. In other words, the abrasive mass loss decreased with increasing percentage of reinforcement addition at the both applied loads. The control sample suffered a highest mass loss at 5 N applied load.

Microstructural and thermal study of Al-Si-Mg/melon shell ash particulate composite

The microstructural study via scanning electron microscope (SEM) and thermal study via differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) study of Al-7%Si-0.3Mg/melon shell ash particulate composite has been carried out. The melon shell ash was used in the production of MMC ranging from 5% to 20% at interval of 5% addition using stir casting method. The melon shell ash was characterized using X-ray fluorescent (XRF) that reveal the presence of CaO, SiO2, Al2O3, MgO, and TiO2 as major compounds. The composite was machined and subjected to heat treatment. Microstructural analyses of the composite produced were done using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The microstructure obtained reveals a dark ceramic (reinforcer) and white metallic phase. Equally, the 5wt% DSC result gives better thermal conductivity than other proportions (10wt%, 15wt%, and 20wt%). These results showed that an improved property of Al-Si-Mg alloy was achieved using melon shell ash particles as reinforcement up to a maximum of 20wt% for microstructural and 5%wt DSC respectively.

Dry Sliding Wear Behavior of Palmyra Shell Ash–Reinforced Aluminum Matrix (AlSi10Mg) Composites

ABSTRACTHigh strength, light weight, ease of fabrication, excellent castability, and good wear resistance make aluminum alloy composites suitable for commercial applications. In this work, a silica-rich ash particle (palmyra shell ash) was reinforced with aluminum alloy (AlSi10Mg) composites and its mechanical and tribological properties were studied. The aluminum alloy was reinforced with 3, 6, and 9 wt% of palmyra shell ash particles, and its dry sliding wear behavior was studied using a pin-on-disc machine under different loading conditions. The result shows that the dry sliding wear resistance of Al–palmyra shell ash composites was almost similar to that of fly ash– and rice husk ash–reinforced Al-alloy composites and these composites exhibit better wear resistance compared to unreinforced alloy. The palmyra shell ash particle weight fraction significantly affects the wear and friction properties of the composites. Scanning electron microscopic examination of the worn surface reveals that at various loads palmyra shell ash particles act as load-bearing constituents and the wear resistance of the reinforced palmyra shell ash with a size range of 1–50 µm was superior to that of unreinforced alloy. Mechanical properties (hardness and tensile strength) were also studied and it was observed that the reinforced Al-alloy showed a significant increase in mechanical properties.

Improving mechanical properties of aluminium alloy through addition of coconut shell-ash

This paper investigates the microstructure and mechanical properties of aluminum alloy (Al-Si-Fe) reinforced with coconut shell-ash particulate. The aluminium (Al-Si-Fe) alloy composite was produced by a double-stir casting process at a speed of 700 rpm for 10 and 5 minutes at first and second stirring respectively. The samples produced from addition of 0-15 wt% coconut shellash particles (CSAp) were prepared and subjected to microstructural and mechanical properties testing. The results of the microstructural analysis of the composite reveal a fairly uniform distribution of the coconut shell-ash particles in the matrix with increase in volume fraction of CSAp. The mechanical property test results revealed that, hardness of the developed composite increased with increasing percentage weight of CSAp. Also the tensile and yield strength at 0.2% offset values of Al-Si-Fe/CSAp composite increased with percentage increase in CSAp up to 9% addition above which a little decrease in both tensile and yield strength was observed.Keywords: Matrix, coconut shell, mechanical properties, stir- casting, particulate, reinforcements