Evaluation of Mechanical, Microstructures and Wear Behaviours of Aluminium Alloy Reinforced with Mussel Shell Powder for Automobile Applications

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate the mechanical (tensile, hardness, impact, elongation), microstructure and wear behaviours of aluminium alloy reinforced with mussel shell powder (MSP) at different weight percentages (0 wt. % to 15 wt. %) at 3 wt. % interval. The mussel shell powder was characterized by X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The matrix and the composites’ morphology were studied using a scanning electron microscope attached with energy dispersive spectroscopy for the distribution of mussel shell powder particles within the matrix. The wear behaviour of the alloy and composites produced at various reinforcements were carried out using a Taber abrasion wear-testing machine. The XRF showed the compositions of MSP to contain calcium oxide (95.70 %), silica (0.83 %) and others. Mechanical properties showed that tensile values increase with increases in MSP, hardness value increases from 6 wt. % to 15 wt. % of MSP. The impact energy decreased from 42.6 J at 3 wt. % to 22.6 J at 15 wt. %; the percentage elongation also decreased from 37.4 % at 3 wt. % to 20.5 % at 15 wt. % MSP, respectively. The bending stress results increase with increases in the percentage of reinforcement. The morphologies revealed that uniform distribution of MSP within the matrix resulted to improvement in mechanical properties. The wear resistance of the composites increases with increase in the applied load and decreases with increases in the weight percentage of MSP and can be used in the production of brake pads and insulators in the automobile industry.

Effect of Dual-stage Ageing and RRA Treatment on the Three-body Abrasive Wear of the AW7075 Alloy

“…From the point of view of the microstructure, aluminium alloys can be considered as "composites" that consist of a soft matrix and hard precipitates formed during the heat treatment stage, which in turn affect the hardness and strength of these alloys. The presence of hard particles in the matrix effectively reduces wear [25] and [26]. Microstructural parameters (e.g., the hardness, shape, size, volume fraction, and distribution of the second phases), the properties of the matrix, and the interfacial bonding between the second phase and the matrix significantly influence the abrasive wear resistance [27].…”

The Effect of Organic Fillers on the Mechanical Strength of the Joint in the Adhesive Bonding

“…Similarly, agricultural industrial waste materials such as palm kernel and starch material are specimens for such additives [23]. Some organic materials are used as composite additives [24], and some are used in the form of fibers in the adhesive [25,26].…”

Improving the mechanical and wear behaviours of reinforced aluminium alloy with animal waste particulates ash

“…Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites (AMMCs) are one such material to provide combination of properties such as high strength, high stiffness, higher thermal conductivity, higher young's modulus and better tribological properties over unreinforced alloys. However, the AMMCs are mostly used in applications such as automobile, marine and aerospace industries [1,2]. Further attempts have been made to improve the mechanical and tribological properties of AMMCs by reinforcing the alloys with synthetic materials such as SiC, B 4 C, Al 2 O 3 , and graphite in order to enhance their wear resistance characteristics [3][4][5].…”