Evaluation of Mechanical and Metallurgical Properties Al- Si-Mg /Mangiferaindica Seed Shell Ash (MSSA) Particulate Composite for Production of Motorcycle Hub

Abstract

This paper presents the hardness and impact strength as well as the metallographic analysis of Al- Si-Mg /Mango Seed Shell Ash (MSSA) Particulate Composite. The Properties of Aluminum Al- Si-Mg Alloy for the Production of the Motorcycle hub have been assessed.  The Aluminum 6061 / Mango Seed Shell Ash (Al-MSSA) composite was developed through the stir casting method. The mango shell ash was characterized using X-ray fluorescent (XRF). Specimens for hardness, impact strength and microstructure as per the ASTM standards were produced. The hardness, impact, microstructure properties of the composite were evaluated.  The results revealed that an increase in the percentage of MSSA progressively increases the hardness of the material from 31.9 HV at 0% wt of MSSA to a maximum hardness of 43.2 HV at 15%wt of MSSA. This represents a 26.16% improvement. However, an increase in the percentage of MSSA progressively decreases the impact value of the material from 2.25J at 0%wt of MSSA   to 1.36J at 10% wt. Thereafter, It started increasing to reach an optimum value of 2.440 joules at 15%wt addition of MSSA. Microstructural analysis of the composite studied revealed a fairly uniform distribution of the mango seed shell ash particles in the Aluminium matrix indicating that there was good interfacial bonding between the matrix and the reinforcement. The presence of Si and Mg enhances wettability and formation of Mg₂Si and eutectic Si α-Al matrix with MSSA particles. These results confirm that 15wt% MSSA has significantly improved the hardness of the alloy by 26.16%. It is therefore recommended for engineering material especially where hardness is a deciding factor.