DEVELOPMENT AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF ALUMINIUM MATRIX COMPOSITES REINFORCED WITH SILICON CARBIDE AND PALM KERNEL SHELL NANOPARTICLES
Aluminium matrix composites (AMCs) are widely explored for structural applications; however, their performance is often limited by the cost and availability of conventional reinforcements, creating the need for alternative, sustainable materials. This study aims to develop and evaluate the mechanical behavior of AMCs reinforced with silicon carbide (SiC) and palm kernel shell (PKS) nanoparticles as a cost-effective agro-waste�derived reinforcement. SiC and PKS were processed into nanoparticles using high-energy ball milling and characterized via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Brunauer�Emmett�Teller (BET), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses. Nine composite samples were fabricated through stir casting with varied weight ratios of SiC and PKS, with 1 wt% magnesium added to enhance wettability. Mechanical properties including tensile strength, flexural strength, hardness, and impact resistance were measured in line with ASTM standards. The composite containing 1.5 wt% SiC, 0.6 wt% PKS, and 1 wt% Mg exhibited superior performance, achieving a tensile strength of 107.34 MPa, flexural strength of 171 MPa, impact strength of 4.60 J, and hardness of 24.3 HRA. The findings highlight that PKS nanoparticles can serve as a sustainable partial reinforcement in AMCs, reducing reliance on synthetic ceramics and promoting eco-friendly materials design for lightweight structural applications.
Authors : Folorunsho, O.F., Akindapo, J.O. and Orueri D.U.
Category : Open Access Volume (Issue) : 11(2) Date Uploaded : 8th December 2025