Effects of breadfruit seed hull ash on the microstructures and properties of Al-Si-Fe alloy/breadfruit seed hull ash particulate composites

The microstructures and properties of Al-Si-Fe alloy matrix composites reinforced with different weight fractions of breadfruit seed hull (husk) ash particles of size 500 nm were investigated. Six (6) different weight fractions of breadfruit seed hull ash particles were added to aluminium alloy matrix using a double stir-casting method. Microstructural analysis shows that with the increase of the reinforcement weight fraction, the matrix grain size decreases. The mechanical properties of the composites are improved over the matrix materials, except for the slightly decrease of the impact energy. Fracture surface examination indicates that there is a good interfacial bonding between the aluminium alloy matrix and the breadfruit seed hull ash particles and that fracture initiation does not occur at the particle-matrix interface. Hence, incorporation of breadfruit seed hull ash particles in aluminium matrix can lead to the production of low cost aluminium composites with improved hardness and strength. These composites can find applications in automotive components where light weight materials are required with good stiffness and strength. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license.