Journal of Material Sciences & Engineering

Development and Characterization of Bamboo Leaf Ash Particulate Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Composite by Compocasting Method

Abstract

Atalay Alemayehu Moges* and Meseret Ewunetu Kiberet

Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites (AMMCs) have continually generated a lot of interest due to the versatility of their applications such as in aerospace, automobile, marine, sports and recreation industries; due to having their outstanding properties of high strength-to-weight-ratio, superior wear resistance, controlled coefficient of thermal expansion, higher fatigue resistance and better stability at elevated temperatures. Even though; AMMCs are the most familiar materials in various applications, the cost of reinforcement materials and manufacturing processes are considered critical problems. Additionally, the mechanical properties such as impact and compressive strength correlated with the uniform distribution of particulates were not well studied. Therefore, this research work mainly focused on the development and characterization of an aluminum metal matrix with reinforced Bamboo Leaf Ash (BLA) through compocasting methods, due to having a high possibility to achieve uniform distribution of particulates. Consequently, the BLAs extracted from agricultural waste through the processes of collecting, drying and conditioning. The chemical composition of the aluminum metal scrap and as-prepared BLA were determined by using spectrometry and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) respectively. Then, as-prepared BLA powder, weight percentages (0%, 2%, 4% and 6%) were used to develop the composite using the compocasting route, while all other parameters like stirring temperature, time, speed and melting temperature remained constant. The microstructural characterization of as synthesized composite samples carried out by using Optical Microscopy (OM). Moreover, the investigation of mechanical properties such as compression, hardness and impact tests of as-synthesized composites through by universal testing machines, Rockwell hardness and impact testing machines respectively. Thus, the sample synthesized by the weight percentage of 4% BLA showed a maximum hardness, compressive and impact strength of about 100.36 HRB, 100.11 MPa, and 37 J respectively. Hence, these BLA-reinforced aluminum metal matrix composites could be a potential candidate for applications such as roofing sheets, door and window panels.