Optimization of agro-waste reinforced aluminium – based composite using D-Optimal mixture design

All designers desire to use durable and reliable materials in engineering applications. In this study, a new aluminium - based composite material was produced using some agro waste materials which are Palm Kernel Shell, Bamboo Fibre, Groundnut Shell and Rice Husk as the reinforcement while aluminium scrap is the matrix. The D-Optimal mixture design was used for the experimental design. Twenty – five (25) experimental runs of the specimens were obtained from the design expert and each run was performed three times and the average was taken. A stir casting method was used in the production of the specimens. The responses tested for are Tensile strength, hardness and wear index(rate). The Numerical optimization of the input and responses was done using the design expert. The produced material was modelled using SOLIDWORKS software. SEM analysis was carried out to appropriately look at the microstructure of the composite and it was found out that the porosity seen was as a result of the casting method. It was found out that the reinforcement particles of Palm Kernel Shell, Bamboo Fibre, Groundnut Shell and Rice Husk have improved the mechanical properties of the aluminium metal. From the optimal solution obtained by the design expert, 72.43% weight of aluminium, 13.27% weight of Bamboo fibre, 12.30% weight of Rice Husk, 1.00% weight of Groundnut Shell and 1.00% weight of Palm kernel shell can be used to produce an Engineering composite material with a tensile strength of 241.23 MPa, hardness of 114.07 HV and wear index(rate) of 0.18 x 10-3 mg/rpm with a desirability of 88.3% which is applicable in the production of automobile components.