Comparative Analysis on The Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Al-Mg-Si Composites Reinforced with Groundnut Shell Ash, Palm Kernel Shell Ash, Avocado Pear Seed Ash and Alumina Particles

Abstract: This study looks at the mechanical properties and microstructural aspects of Al-Mg-Si alloy matrix composites that are reinforced with Groundnut Shell Ash (GNSA), Palm Kernel Shell Ash (PKSA), Avocado Pear Seed Ash (APSA), and aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃) particles.  The composites were fabricated using stir casting and analyzed for porosity, hardness, tensile properties, and fracture behaviour.  The percentage porosities increased for all reinforcements, with APSA showing the highest (31.1% increase) and PKSA the lowest (18.1% increase), while all values stayed within the acceptable limit for cast aluminium.  Significant enhancements in hardness were observed, particularly in GNSA-reinforced composites (43.1% increase), confirming improved wear resistance.  Al₂O₃ exhibited the most significant improvement in ultimate tensile strength (39.2% increase), succeeded by PKSA (30.0% increase), demonstrating successful reinforcement.  The specific strength reached its zenith with Al₂O₃ reinforcement (60.1% increase), underscoring its exceptional load-bearing capability.  In contrast, ductility, shown by strain to fracture, decreased in Al₂O₃ (57.98% decrease) but dramatically increased with GNSA (80.8% increase) and APSA (69.8% increase), demonstrating enhanced energy absorption in agro-based composites.  Fracture toughness significantly diminished in all samples, especially in APSA (274.3% decrease) and Al₂O₃ (136.6% decrease), indicating increased brittleness due to the reinforcements.  SEM examination demonstrated uniformly distributed particles throughout all matrices, reducing clustering and enhancing consistent mechanical performance.  Agro-waste reinforcements exhibited commendable efficacy in improving mechanical properties while minimizing environmental impact; however, compromises in toughness should be acknowledged in design considerations.

Al-Mg-Si alloy, AA6061, groundnut shell ash, palm kernel shell ash, Avocado pear seed ash and alumina

1. M. Bodunrin, K. Alaneme and L. Chown, "Aluminium matrix hybrid compositesA review of reinforcement philosophies; mechanical, corrosion and tribological characteristics," Journal of Materials Research and Technology, vol. 4, no. 4, p. 434–445, 2015. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. N. Ahamad, A. Mohammad, K. K. Sadasivuni and P. Gupta, "Structural and mechanical characterization of stir cast Al–Al2O3–TiO2 hybrid metal matrix composites," Journal of Composite Materials, vol. 54, no. 21, p. 2985–2997, 2020. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. K. K. Alaneme and B. U. Odoni, "Mechanical properties, wear and corrosion behavior of copper matrix composites reinforced with steel machining chips," Engineering Science and Technology, an International Journal, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 1593-1599, 2016. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. P. Muruganandhan and M. Eswaramoorthi, "Aluminum Composite with Fly Ash – A Review," IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (IOSR-JMCE), vol. 11, no. 6, pp. 38-41, 2014. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. B. Girish, B. R. Basawaraj, B. Satish and D. Somash, "Electrical Resistivity and Mechanical Properties of Tungsten Carbide Reinforced Copper alloy Composites," International Journal of Composite Materials, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 37-42, 2012. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. P. Babalola, C. Bolu, A. Inegbenebor and K. Odunfa, "Development of Aluminium Matrix Composites: A review," Online International Journal of Engineering and Technology Research, vol. 2:, no. 2014, pp. 1-11, April 2014. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. M. Dinesh and R. Ravindran, "Aluminium AA 7075 properties enhanced by Zirconium and Chromium nano particle," International Journal of ChemTech Research, vol. 9 , no. 01, pp. 296-301, 2016. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. R. Umunakwe, D. Olaleye, A. Oyetunji, O. Okoye and I. Umunakwe, "Assessment of the density and Mechanical Properties Of Particulate Periwinkle Shell-Aluminium 6063 Metal Matrix Composite (PPS-Almmc) Produced By Two-Step Casting," Acta Technica Corviniensis, vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 83-90, April 2017. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. N. K. Chandla, N. Yashpal, S. Kant, M. Goud and C. Jawalkar, "Experimental analysis and mechanical characterization of Al 6061/alumina/bagasse ash hybrid reinforced metal matrix composite using vacuum-assisted stir casting method," Journal of Composite Materials, vol. 54, no. 27, pp. 4283 - 4297, 2020. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. S. P. Dwivedi, P. Sharma and A. Saxena, "Utilization of waste spent alumina catalyst and agro-waste rice husk ash as reinforcement materials with scrap aluminium alloy wheel matrix," Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part E Jou, vol. 234, no. 6, pp. 542 - 552, 2020. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. P. K. Gupta, A. K. Trivedi, M. K. Gupta and M. Dixit, "Metal matrix composites for sustainable products: A review on current development," Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part L Journal of Materials Design and Applications, 2024. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. P. K. Gupta and M. Gupta, "Mechanical and microstructural analysis of Al-Al2O3/B4C hybrid composites," Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part L Journal of Materials Design and Applications, vol. 234, no. 12, pp. 1503 - 1514, 2020. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. R. Joshi, P. K. Bajpai and S. Mukhopadhyay, "Processing and performance evaluation of agro wastes reinforced bio-based epoxy hybrid composites," Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part L Journal of Materials Design and Application, vol. 237, no. 2, pp. 482 - 499, 2022. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. D. Kumar, P. K. Singh and P. Saini, "Morphological and mechanical characterization of the Al-4032/granite powder composites," Journal of Composite Materials, vol. 56, no. 15, p. 2433–2442, 2022. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. R. Naghdi, "Advanced natural fibre-based fully biodegradable and renewable composites and nanocomposites: a comprehensive review," International Wood Products Journal, vol. 12, no. 3, p. 178–193, 2021. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. P. R. Rakesh, S. Anand, D. Mohith, A. Shifin and A. M. Mubarak, "Investigations on the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of novel Al 6061/7075–granite–SiC metal matrix composites fabricated through two-stage stir casting," Proceedings of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers Part E Journal of Process Mechanical Engineering, vol. 238, no. 4, pp. 1860 - 1872, 2023. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. M. S. Charan, A. K. Naik, N. Kota, T. Laha and S. Roy, "Review on developments of bulk functionally graded composite materials," International Materials Reviews,, vol. 67, no. 8, p. 797–863, 2022. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. B. Varun, S. Gopi and R. Manikandan, "Experimental studies on the effects of reinforcing cowpat ash with aluminium composites," Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part E Journal of Process Mechanical Engineering, vol. 237, no. 5, pp. 1888 -1899, 2022. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. S. K. Verma, V. K. Dwivedi and S. P. & Dwivedi, "Effect of spent alumina catalyst and date palm fiber ash addition in the development of aluminum based composite," Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part C Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science, vol. 238, no. 10, p. 4561–4574, 2023. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. R. Umunakwe, D. Olaleye, A. Oyetunji, O. Okoye and I. Umunakwe, "Assessment of the density and Mechanical Properties Of Particulate Periwinkle Shell-Aluminium 6063 Metal Matrix Composite (PPS-Almmc) Produced By Two-Step Casting," Acta Technica Corviniensis, vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 83-90, April 2017a. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. R. Umunakwe, D. Olaleye, A. Oyetunji, O. Okoye and I. Umunakwe, "Assessment of Some Mechanical Properties And Microstructure Of Particulate Periwinkle Shell-Aluminium 6063 Metal Matrix Composite (PPS-Almmc) Produced By Two-Step Casting," Nigerian Journal of Technology (NIJOTECH), vol. 2, pp. 421-427, April 2017b. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. M. Nwabufoh, "Development and characterization of Al-3.7% Cu-1.4%Mg Alloy Periwinkle Ash (Turutella Communis) Particulate Composite," Unpublished Master of Science Thesis, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, pp. 1-54, 2015. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. B. Odoni, B. Onyekpe and O. Awheme, "Evaluation of Palm Kernel Shell Ash Particle Reinforced Aluminium 6061 Alloy Matrix Composites Using Physio-Chemical and Microstructural Methods," Journal of Materials Engineering, Structures and Computation 3(1) 2024, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 52-61, 2024. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. O. Oladele and A. M. Okoro, "The effect of palm kernel shell ash on the mechanical properties of as-cast aluminium alloy matrix composites," Leonardo Journal of Sciences, no. 28, pp. 15-30, 2016. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. B. U. Odoni, E. Emifoniye and O. G. Utu, "Physico-Chemical and Microstructural Analysis of Al-Mg-Si Alloy Matrix Composites Reinforced Groundnut Shell ash Particulate," INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING, MANAGEMENT & APPLIED SCIENCE (IJLTEMAS), vol. XII, no. VII, pp. 155-162, 2024. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. R. V. Vignesh, R. Padmanaban and M. Govindaraju, "Advances in processing of lightweight metal alloys and composites," In Materials horizons, 2022. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. R. Chitra, T. M. C. Jegan, A. M. A. Bamini, G. Glivin and V. A. Frankin, "Stir casting process parameters and their influence on the production of AA6061/B4C metal matrix composites," In Materials horizons, pp. 183-215, 2022. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Kareem, J. A. Qudeiri, A. Abdudeen, T. Ahammed and A. Ziout, "A review on AA 6061 Metal Matrix Composites produced by Stir Casting," Materials, vol. 14, no. 1, p. 175, 2021. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. F. O. Edoziuno, B. U. Odoni, F. I. Alo and C. C. Nwaeju, "Dry Sliding Wear And Surface Morphological Examination of An Aluminium Matrix Composite Reinforced With Palm Kernel Shell," Acta Metallurgica Slovaca, vol. 26, no. 2, p. 54–62, 2020. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. K. K. Alaneme, B. O. Ademilua and M. O. Bodunrin, "Mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of aluminium hybrid composites reinforced with silicon carbide, and bamboo leaf ash," Tribology in Industry, vol. 1, no. 35, pp. 25-35, 2013. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. K. Alaneme and M. Bodunrin, "Mechanical behaviour of alumina reinforced AA6063 metal matrix composites developed by two step – stir casting process," Acta Tech Corviniensis-Bull. Eng, vol. 1, pp. 105-110, 2013. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. ASTM-E18-20, standard test methods for Rockwell hardness of metallic materials., West Conshohocken: PA: ASTM Inter., 2020. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. K. K. Alaneme, A. V. Fajemisina and N. B. Maledic, "Development of aluminium-based composites reinforced with steel and graphite particles: structural, mechanical and wear characterization," Journal of Material Research and Technology, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 670-682, 2019. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. K. Alaneme, "Fracture toughness (K1C) evaluation for dual phase low alloy steels using circumferential notched tensile (CNT) specimens," Mater Res, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 155-160, 2011. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. G. Dieter, Mechanical metallurgy, Singapore: McGraw-Hill, 1992, p. 303. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. S. Nath and U. Das, "Effect of microstructure and notches on the fracture toughness of medium carbon steel," J Naval Arch Mar Eng, vol. 3, pp. 15-22, 2006. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

37. O. O. Joseph and K. O. Babaremu, "Agricultural Waste as a reinforcement Particulate for Aluminum Metal Matrix Composite (AMMCs): a review," Fibers, vol. 7, no. 4, p. 33, 2019. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

38. P. Dwivedi, M. Maurya, K. Maurya, K. Srivastava, S. Sharma and A. Saxena, "Utilization of Groundnut Shell as Reinforcement in Development of Aluminum Based Composite to Reduce Environment Pollution: a review," Evergreen, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 15-25, 2020. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

39. S. Adeosun, E. Akpan and S. E. H. Balogun, "Characterizing the mechanical behaviour of mild steel reinforced structural aluminium," Am J Mater Sci , vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 1-9, 2013. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

40. P. Kulkarni, B. Siddeswarappa and K. K. Hemanth, "A survey of effect of Aggro Waste Ash as Reinforcement on Aluminium Base Metal Matrix Composites.," Open Journal of composite Materials, vol. 9, pp. 312-326, 2019. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

41. K. K. Alaneme, M. O. Bodunrin and A. A. Awe, "Microstructure, Mechanical and Fracture Properties of Groundnut Shell Ash and carbide Dispersion Strengthened Aluminium Matrix Composites," Journal of King Saul University - Engineering Science (2016), vol. xxx, pp. xxx-xxx, 2016. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

42. L. Venkatesh, T. V. Arjunan and K. Ravikumar, "Microstructural characteristics and mechanical behaviour of aluminium hybrid composites reinforced with groundnut shell ash and B4C," Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering, vol. 41, no. 7, 2019. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

43. B. Parveez, M. A. Maleque and N. A. Jamal, "Influence of agro-based reinforcements on the properties of aluminum matrix composites: a systematic review," Journal of Materials Science, vol. 56, no. 29, pp. 16195-16222, 2021. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

44. Apasi, D. Yawas, S. Abdulkareem and M. Kolawole, "Improving mechanical properties of aluminium alloy through addition of coconut shell-ash," Journal of Science Technology, vol. 36, no. 3, pp. 34-43, 2016. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

45. L. Lancaster, M. Lung and D. Sujan, "Utilization of agro-industrial waste in metal matrix composites: Towards sustainability," International Journal of Environmental, Ecological, Geomatics, Earth Science and Engineering, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 35-43, 2013. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

46. M. Ravi, S. Gowri and V. S. Raja, "Formation and role of intermetallics in cast AA6061–Al₂O₃ composites," Materials & Design, vol. 54, p. 1034–1040, 2014. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

47. ASTM E8/E8M-16, Standard test methods for tension testing of metallic materials, West Conshohocken: PA: ASTM Inter, 2016. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Advanced Techniques for Fake News Detection on Twitter Using NLP and AI: A Comprehensive Review
• Review of Self Compacting Geopolymer Concrete Using Slag Sand as Fine Aggregate
• Performance of Local Construction Contractors – Case Study of Registered Contractors in Monrovia, Liberia
• Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Innovation Management in Multinational Organizations
• Modeling of Reaction Between Dissolved Oxygen (DO) And Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) in Degradation River