Engineering & Technology
Volume: 57 , Issue: 1 , July Published Date: 05 August 2020
Publisher Name: IJRP
Views: 938 , Download: 941 , Pages: 36 - 43
DOI: 10.47119/IJRP100571720201325
Publisher Name: IJRP
Views: 938 , Download: 941 , Pages: 36 - 43
DOI: 10.47119/IJRP100571720201325
Authors
| # | Author Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | M. A. Bawa |
| 2 | O. B. Umaru |
| 3 | B. T. Abur |
| 4 | I. Salako |
| 5 | J. S. Jatau |
Abstract
Investigation into development of advanced lightweight composite materials with low densities and tailored properties that could comfortably replace conventional ones is currently the direction of many researches especially in the automobile and aerospace industries. Aluminum reinforced composites are mostly considered due to their inherent properties of low density, good thermal and electrical conductivity, as well as superior mechanical properties. This research focused on production of A356 (Al-7%Si-0.3%Mg)/Locust Bean Pod Ash (LBPA) composites for brake rotor applications using Design Expert software which determined the number of runs of experiments and percentage composition of the input elements. The LBPA which was found to contained crystals such as Al2O3, SiO2 and Fe2O3 which are the main elements responsible for improving hardness and wear to the composite was used as reinforcement in the production of the composite by sand casting. The produced composite was machined and subjected to heat treatment. Hardness and wear rate properties tests were conducted followed by metallographic examinations. Models for hardness and wear rate were developed and analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), other interfaces of the Design Expert and simulation in Excel environment. The best combination for hardness and wear rate was reached when the volume fraction of the reinforcement was 25% the hardness value of 40.41 HBR and wear rate of 0.0489mm3/Nm which showed that the hardness and wear rate of the composite samples improved by 57.23% and 47.10% respectively as compared to the matrix alloy. ANOVA results showed that effect of LBPA was significant. The photo-micrograph of the composite shows clearly the homogeneity of dark dispersion of the LBPA and predominantly white metallic phases. From the results, it can be concluded that LBPA can be utilized as reinforcement in the production of brake rotors.