EVALUATION OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF ALUMINIUM ALLOY REINFORCED WITH RICE HUSK ASH AND GRAPHENE HYBRID METAL MATRIX COMPOSITE

ABSTRACT

Composites have been developed with great success by the use of reinforcement. Monolithic materials cannot possess all the properties to be obtained hence, the need to employ the use of composite materials. Aluminum is generally utilized as a basic material particularly in the aerospace industry in view of its light weight property Be that as it may; the low quality and low melting point were continuously an issue.However due to these limitations, intense exploration on the use of metallic matrices has ensued, particularly with respect to aluminium. Metal matrix composites reinforced with particles such as SiC provides significantly improved mechanical properties, high bonding strength and high wear resistance. In this study the effect of rice husk ash and graphene reinforcement in the Aluminium (Al) matrix was investigated.

Rice husk ash (RHA) with high silica content up to 97,095% was used for the study with the RHA varied from 5vol% - 15vol% at intervals of 5vol% at different weight sizes of 150µm, 300µm and 600µm in aluminium alloy as reinforcement. Also graphene of constant volume percentage of 0.5vol% was used for the study. The mechanical properties of the composites including tensile strength, impact strength, hardness and fatigue strength were investigated also with the microstructure test, scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) Analysis and Phase analysis (XRD Analysis). The aim of the paper is to fabricate Metal matrix composite (MMC) of aluminium alloy reinforced with rice husk ash and grapheme and reducing the negative environmental impact on the society due to improper disposal, improving the economic utilization of rice husk and aluminium matrix composite and developing new materials with superior mechanical properties. In conclusion the melting point, Stiffness, and wear resistance was improved maintaining its lightness.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACES

Cover page

Certification

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of content

List of tables

List of figures

1.0INTRODUCTION

1.1Background of study

1.2Statement of the problem

1.3Aims and objectives of the study

1.4Justification of the study (significance)

1.5Scope of study

2.0LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1Background history of metal matrix composite (MMC)

2.2Composites

2.3Classification of composites

2.3.1Matrix

2.3.2Fiber (Reinforcement)

2.3.3Interface

2.4Factors to be considered in selecting matrix, fiber and interface

2.5Metal matrix composites (MMC)

2.6Aluminum matrix composite

2.7Rule of mixture

2.8Properties of aluminum

2.9A review of aluminum alloy series, their principal characteristics and application

2.10Silicon carbide (SiC)

2.11Rice Husk Ash (RHS)

2.12Graphene

2.13Graphene Oxide

2.14Aluminum-Silicon Carbide composite 

2.15Aluminum Rice Husk Ash composite

2.16Aluminum Graphene composite

2.17Manufacturing Route

2.17.1Power metallurgy

2.17.2Pressure infiltration casting

2.17.3Sintering 

2.17.4Stir casting

2.18Research gap

3.0METHODOLOGY

3.1Introduction

3.2Selection of sample material

3.3Equipment and tools

3.4Experimental details

3.4.1Preparation of Aluminum alloy (matrix)

3.4.2Preparation of Rice Husk Ash (reinforcement)

3.4.3Preparation of Graphene (reinforcement)

3.4.4Preparation of composites from Aluminum alloy and Rice Husk Ash (Al/RHA)

3.4.5Preparation of Hybrid composites from Aluminum alloy, Rice Husk Ash and Graphene

3.5Testing of mechanical properties

3.5.1Determination of Density

3.5.2Tensile test

3.5.3Hardness testing (Vickers Diamond test)

3.5.4Impact testing

3.5.5Fatigue testing

3.6Microstructure test (SEM Analysis)

3.7Phase Analysis (XRD Analysis)

3.8Experimental design for the regional surface procedure.

3.9Statistical Data Analysis.

4.0RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

4.1Density Test

4.2Hardness Test

4.3Ultimate Tensile Test

4.4Impact Test

4.5Fatigue Test

5.0  CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

REFERENCE