Effects of Waste Eggshells addition on Microstructures, Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Green Metal Matrix Composite

Abstract

Chicken eggshell (Es) waste is an industrial byproduct, and its disposal constitutes a severe environmental risk. Eggshell is a new engineering reinforcement retaining excellent properties such as low density, renewable, eco-friendly, and high thermal stability. The current research aims to study the effects of eggshell particles addition on microstructures, mechanical and tribological properties of aluminium/eggshell green metal matrix composites (MMCs). In the present work Al–Es metal matrix composite is produced by powder metallurgy processes. SEM with EDX and XRD were used to examine the microstructures and the compounds that arise during the sintering process of the produced composites. Six tests were conducted on the produced samples including; dry wear test, micro Vickers hardness, and ultimate compressive strength. The results showed that the addition of 3 wt. % of eggshell improved wear resistance (65%), compressive strength (40%) and hardness (15%). At 6 and 9 wt. % of eggshell, negative results appeared.

Keywords

• aluminum matrix composite
• eggshell
• green composites
• powder metallurgy
• wear