Densification of agricultural residues such as husks, shells and cobs into fuel briquettes is an alternative renewable feedstock for producing solid fuels because it improves their physico-mechanical, storage and combustion properties. This paper presents the physico-mechanical characterisation of fuel briquettes made from blends of corncob and rice husk. The raw samples of corncob and rice husk were collected, sorted and pulverised. The pulverised samples were screened to 0.25, 1.0 and 1.75 mm particle sizes, blended at mixing ratios of 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, and 50:50, and afterwards, briquette samples were produced at 25, 50, and 65 kPa compaction pressures respectively with starch as the binder. The variations in the particle size, mixing ratio and compaction pressure have significantly influenced the investigated physico-mechanical properties of the produced briquettes. The briquette made from 80:20 mixing ratio of corncob to rice husk, 0.25 mm particle size and 65 kPa compaction pressure had the highest compressive strength of 111 kN/m2 and the least compressive strength of 39 kN/m2 from briquette with 50:50 ratio of corncob to rice husk, 1.75 mm particle size and 25 kPa compaction pressure. The briquette made from 50:50 mixing ratio of corncob to rice husk, 0.25 mm particle size and 65 kPa compaction pressure spent the longest time to collapse when immersed in water; taking up to 972 seconds and the least time of 480 seconds from briquette with 80:20 mixing ratio corncob to rice husk, 1.75 mm particle size and 25 kPa compaction pressure.
The utilization of agro-residues ash as complementary reinforcing materials continues to gain prominence for metal matrix composite (MMCs) development. A rarely investigated but largely available ash among these agro-residues is the palm kernel shell ash (PKSA). Thus, the present study investigates the influence of PKSA particulates hybridized with SiC on the physico-mechanical properties and microstructure of Al6063 metal composites. The composites are synthesized using the double stir-casting technique with SiC held constant at 2 wt.%, while the PKSA contents are varied from 0 to 8 wt.%. The phases present and morphology of the composites are investigated using X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The density, porosity, hardness, tensile and fracture toughness tests are carried out on the hybrid composites. X-ray diffractometer revealed that for Al 6063, only Al cubic crystal system was identifiable within the matrix. However, for the reinforced composites, major phases identified are Al, Fe3Si, SiC, MgO, and SiO2. The SEM images show that the particulates reinforcements (SiC and PKSA) were uniformly dispersed in the matrix. The percentage porosity for the composites ranged from 2.06 to 2.39%. In addition, hardness, yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of the composites are about 10.3%, 18.5% and 10.4%, respectively better than for Al 6063. However, the percent elongation and fracture toughness are lower for the hybrid composites than for Al 6063 and SiC reinforced composite with values decreasing with increase in ash content. Hence, the MMCs produced will be applicable for light-weight engineering applications.
Heat treatment is a fundamental metallurgical process aimed at achieving desired mechanical properties. This article aims at analysing the impact of annealing process of heat treatment with the solution heat treatment and ageing of Ti6Al4V alloy on the mechanical properties such as microstructure, fracture toughness, tensile strength and hardness of titanium alloy under each heat-treating process. Heat treatment processes aids in creating a sustainable manufacturing process for industries.
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