Effect of filler loading and mould size on the mechanical properties of aluminium matrix composites strengthened with calcium carbide waste

Abstract

The effect of filler loading and mould size on the mechanical properties of calcium carbide waste-reinforced aluminium matrix composite was investigated. Varying weight percent (0, 10, 20, and 30 wt%) of the calcium carbide waste were used in reinforcing the aluminium ingot by stir casting. The mechanical properties studied were tensile strength, Young’s modulus and flexural modulus. Optical microscopy was used in the morphological examination of the produced samples. The results showed a 22.2% improvement in the tensile strength and a 56.4% improvement in the flexural strength at 20 wt% reinforcement of calcium carbide waste and 16 mm mould size. There was an enhancement in Young’s modulus, for reinforced composites up to 20 wt% for all the mould sizes. The optical morphological examination showed a coarsening effect as the reinforcement reached up to 30 wt%, which may have caused the decline in the mechanical properties in the 30 wt% calcium carbide waste-reinforced aluminium matrix composite. The study encourages the utilization of calcium carbide waste in the development of less expensive aluminium-based composites for various applications and also for the reduction of calcium carbide waste pollution.