AN INVESTIGATION ON THE MECHANICAL AND TRIBOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF AN ULTRASONIC-ASSISTED STIR CASTING AL-CU-MG MATRIX-BASED COMPOSITE REINFORCED WITH AGRO WASTE ASH PARTICLES

This research work reports the influence of 3-μm-sized Palm Sprout Shell Ash (PSSA) reinforcement on the mechanical and tribological behavior of the Al-Cu-Mg alloy. Composites of varying weight percentages of reinforcement ranging from 1 to 6 at intervals of 1 Wt.% were produced using the ultrasonic-assisted bottom-poured stir casting technique. Microstructural studies, mechanical testing, and wear properties analysis were performed on the alloy and the synthesized composites. The microstructure of the obtained samples was examined using Scanning Electron Microscope, Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), and X- Ray Diffraction (XRD). The XRD patterns provided confirmation of the presence of PSSA (SiO2 and Al2O3) particles. The addition of PSSA reinforcement has significantly improved the hardness, tensile strength, and compression strength of composites. The hardness, ultimate tensile strength, and compression strength were improved by 13.89%, 24.04%, and 32.93%, respectively, with the 6 Wt.% PSSA-reinforced composite. However, the incorporation of reinforcement has resulted in a decrease in the ductility of the Al-Cu-Mg alloy composite; the maximum decrement of 42.87% was with the 6% PSSA-reinforced composite. Tests were conducted at different loads and speeds to evaluate the wear behavior of the prepared samples. Superior wear resistance was observed in the composites. The fracture and wear mechanisms of reinforced and unreinforced were observed using SEM.