Microstructure and Hardness Behaviour of Coconut Shell Ash, Silicon carbide and Carbon Nanotube in Aluminium Metal Matrix Nanocomposites

Abstract

The current research work focuses on the fabrication of a hybrid composite of Aluminum 1050 (Al), multi - walled Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs), Silicon carbide (SiC), and Coconut Shell Ash (CSA) using a two stage stir casting technique. In the fabrication process, molten aluminum is first mixed with 0.2wt % of CNT and 0.25wt % of SiC. In addition to this, different concentrations of CSA are added in 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, and 8% to assess the material's density, porosity and microstructure and hardness. Significantly, the Al-0.2%CNT-0.25%SiC-8%CSA composite exhibited a density 2.46% lower than that of the Al-0.2%CNT composite. The conducted hardness tests revealed a significant improvement, with a noteworthy 10.37% increase in hardness observed upon the incorporation of CSA particles up to 6%.