Age-Hardening Behaviour of Cow Bone Particulates-Reinforced Aluminium Metal Matrix Composites in Different Quenching Media
Authors: Ayoola, W.A., Durowaye, S.I., Ajose, H. And Hassan, Z.M.
DOI Info: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8097445
ABSTRACT
The influence of cow bone particulates on the mechanical characteristics of aluminium metal matrix composites was studied in this work. Cow bone particulates in varied weight percentages were added to molten aluminium alloy by stir casting method to produce the composites. The composites were subjected to microstructural examination and mechanical characterisation at room temperature. The results revealed serial dislocation lines in the microstructure of the composites, which are the basis for the improvement in strength of the specimens. There were minimal micro porosities in the microstructure of the casts, which indicated a fair uniform distribution of the hard cow bone particulates in the aluminium matrix. The 15 wt. % cow bone particulates-reinforced composite quenched in salt water exhibited the highest hardness value of 184.65 HV, which is 23.1% higher than hardness of the 15 wt. % cow bone particulates-reinforced composite that was not age-hardened. This is also 50% higher than hardness of unreinforced cast aluminium alloy. The age-hardened composites demonstrated an inverse response to impact as the addition of particulates increased in the composites. The subjection of the specimens to heat treatment in different quenching media reduced their impact energies.
Affiliations: Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria.
Keywords: Cow Bone Particulates, Mechanical Characteristics, Aluminium Composites, Stir Casting, Age-hardening
Published date: 2023/06/30
