MECHANICAL AND MICROSTRUCTURAL PROPERTIES OF BRASS REINFORCED WITH COCONUT SHELL ASH POWDER

Metal matrix composites (MMCs) are materials in which metals are reinforced with other materials preferably of lower cost to improve their properties. In this present study, Brass /Coconut Shell Ash powder (CSAp) composites having 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% weight CSAp were fabricated by stir-casting method. The tensile strength of the MMCs is in the order 15% > 10% >5% > 0% of CSAp. Hardness of the MMCs increases slightly with increase in the percentage body weight of CSAp, in the order 15% > 10% >5% > 0% of CSAp. The highest impact energy of 61 J was obtained for 5% CSAp. However, significant improvement in tensile strength and hardness values was noticeable at the 15%. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis of the MMCs shows dendritic structures formation, the reinforcing particles (CSAp) are visible and clearly delineated in the microstructure. Hence, this study has established that reinforcing brass matrix with coconut shell ash particles can result in the production of low cost brass composites with enhanced tensile strength, hardness and impact energy values.

Determination of Braking Speed of Developed Hybrid Particle Reinforced Aluminium Alloy

Abstract- This paper is aimed at comparing the braking speed of the developed Composite Brake Disc (CBD) with that of a nodular cast iron Honda Accord (2000) Model Brake Disc (HABD). The test samples were produced from Aluminium alloy (Al6061), Coconut Shell Ash (CSA) and Silicon Carbide (SiC) by Stir casting and machined into standard specimens for microstructure analysis, density test, mechanical tests (hardness, tensile and impact), wear test and thermal test. The characterization of coconut shell ash particle was carried out using X-ray Flourescent equipment. Six samples were produced, four composite samples; C1 (70% Al, 5% SiC, 20% CSA), C2 (70% Al, 10% SiC, 15% CSA), C3 (70% Al, 15% SiC, 10% CSA) and C4 (70% Al, 20% SiC, 5% CSA), aluminium alloy sample (A1) and as-cast nodular cast iron sample (N1) obtained from HABD. Sample ‘C4’ had the best physical, mechanical, wear and thermal properties (Densty: 3.15 g/cm3, Hardness: 68 kg/mm2, Tensile Strength: 196.12 N/mm2, Impact Energy: 8.05 J, Wear rate: 0.0002328 g/m, Thermal Conductivity: 72.57 W/m-K) and was used to produce the CBD. From the values of coefficient of frictions obtained for CBD and HABD, the braking speeds were calculated and HABD was seen to have a lower braking speed (56.65 m/s) than the CBD (94.42 m/s) because of its higher coefficient of friction. The higher braking speed of the composite brake disc (CBD) as compared to the Honda Accord Brake Disc (HABD) could be as a result of inadequate reinforcements in the aluminium alloy matrix. Hence, the produced CBD cannot be used as an alternative for the nodular cast iron Honda accord brake disc (HABD) even as problems of heavy weight and breakage that may occur due to heavy impact associated with cast iron brake disc have been addressed using the developed composite.Keywords,- Aluminium Alloy, Braking Speed, Coconut Shell, Composite, Silicon Carbide

Characterization of Coconut Shell Ash and Eggshell Powder as Supplementary Cementitious Materials in Roller Compacted Concrete Industrial Access Pavements and Parking Facilities

The cost of cement used in concrete works is on the increase and unaffordable, yet the need for hydraulic cement concrete and other cement concrete based infrastructures keeps growing with increasing population, thus the need to find alternative binding materials that can be used solely or in partial replacement of cement. The use of waste materials with pozzolanic properties in concrete production is a becoming a worldwide practice. The assessment of the pozzolanic activity of cement replacement materials is becoming increasingly important because of the need for more sustainable cementing products. In this study, a mixture of coconut shell ash and eggshell powder is used as partial replacement of hydraulic cement in ranges of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%. The concrete specimens were prepared at 1: 3: 2.5 mix ratio of cementitious material, fine aggregate and coarse aggregate. The mix ratio satisfied the minimum cement content of 148.32kg/m3 (250Ib/yd3) and the minimum cementitious material content of 267 kg/m3 (450Ib/yd3) for roller compacted concrete pavement. The compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and flexural strength tests were carried out to assess the strength characteristics of ternary concrete mixture containing coconut shell ash and eggshell powder and the feasibility of using coconut shell ash and eggshell powder as partial replacement of cement in industrial plant access concrete roads and parking lots. The results indicate that a mixture of coconut shell ash and eggshell powder can be used up to 20% by weight for replacement of cement in roller compacted industrial plant access concrete roads and parking lots.

Pengaruh Penambahan Abu Arang Tempurung Kelapa Pada Tanah Lempung Terhadap Hasil Uji Kompaksi

The purpose of this research is to determine the physical properties of clay soil and to analyze the effect of adding coconut shell charcoal ash to the clay soil. The soil samples used in this study came from Tanralili District, Maros Regency, two sample points were taken and the variations in the levels of addition of coconut shell charcoal ash is 0%, 4%, 6%, 8%, 10%. The test method used refers to ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials). The tests carried out were testing the physical properties of the soil in the form of moisture content, specific gravity, Atterberg boundaries, filter analysis, and hydrometer analysis, then a compaction test was carried out to determine the maximum soil density. The results of the test obtained a moisture content value of 28.811%, a specific gravity of 2.58 g / cm3 so that it is classified as organic clay. As well as the plasticity index value of 9.926% with moderate plasticity from the 7% -17% interval. Then from the test results of soil compaction testing with the addition of coconut shell ash, the dry density (gdry) equal to 0.862, 0.886, 0.914, 0.943, 0.962, this means that the soil sample experienced an increase in dry density (gdry) of 11.60%. From the research results it can be concluded that the addition of coconut shell charcoal ash can increase the value of soil dry density so that it can be used to increase the value of the carrying capacity of clay soil.