Characterization and Wear Behaviours of Aluminium Alloy/ Reinfored With Agricultural Wastes Particulates at Different Loads

The research investigates the morphology and wear behaviours of Al-Mg-Si alloy reinforced with palm kernel shell powder (PKSP) for developing composites. PKSP of particle size of 100 μm was prepared for the studies at different weight percentages of 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 PKSP to developed composites for the investigations. The PKSP was characterized by X-ray fluorescent (XRF). The morphology of the alloy and composites were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) attached with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The XRF revealed elements such as carbon (C), oxygen (O 2 ) with other elements as traces. The PKSP as reinforcer had improved the morphology and wear rate behaviours positively. Morphologies revealed that the composites produced showed no voids and discontinuities of PKSP particulates in the composites. The wear resistance of the matrix and composites increase with increase in load and decrease with increase in the weight percentage of PKSP. The minimum wear rate was obtained at the load of 10N while highest at applied load of 30N. The wear rate of the alloy lost under load of 10N was 1.31 times greater than that of alloy reinforced with 15 wt. % PKSP with minimum wear rate. The composites could be used as brake rotors, pistons and connecting rods in the automobile industries.