Mechanical Analysis Of Palm Kernel Shell Ash Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Composites

ABSTRACT

 The mechanical properties of pure Aluminium reinforcements with Palm kernel shell ash at varying proportion by weight (40%, 30%, 20%, and 10% wt.) were studied for possible structural applications in engineering by comparing its mechanical properties with that of pure Aluminium (Al- 1060). Basically, the rule of mixture was employed to manufacture the test samples of the composites at a varying ratio of Al-90% wt. PKSA-10% wt, Al-80% wt. PKA-20% wt. Al-70% wt. PKSA-30% wt and Al-60% wt. PKSA-40% wt. The samples were tested for mechanical properties using the universal testing machine, Rockwell hardness testing machine. Izod impact testing machine (ASTM D256 standard) and a computerized microscope. Consequently, the experiments demonstrated that the Palm kernel shell ash reinforced Aluminium composite with a 40% wt. proportion of ash has the highest Young modulus of elasticity even compared to that of Al-1060.The young modulus of the Al-60% wt. PKSA was measured to be 77.27 GPa, Al-70% wt. PKSA was 69.10 GPa, Al-80% wt. PKSA was 68.54 GPa, Al-90% wt. PKSA was 64.91 GPa while that of pure Aluminium (Al1 060) was measured to be 56.7 Gpa.