Conversion of Environmental Waste to Engineering Wealth: Eggshell Particulates as a Reinforcement Agent in Al-6063

Abstract

In the quest to improve on some properties of aluminum alloy for better engineering application, eggshell particulate was used to reinforce the alloy at various percentages in this research. The reinforcement was carried out at a superheated temperature of 700°C in order to have homogenous mixture prior to casting. Micro hardness, impact and microstructure were evaluated. It was observed that eggshell particulates has positive impact on the mechanical properties of aluminum with sample X2 reinforced with 4% eggshell particulate possessing the highest hardness value of 187.1 Hv in comparison with the control sample Xo showing the least value of 100.7 Hv. The impact result complemented the hardness results with samples X1 and X2 reinforced with 2% and 4% respectively of eggshell particulates exhibiting the highest impact value of 4.7 J each. This thus indicates that eggshell particulate can be considered as an alternative reinforcing agent in improving the mechanical properties of aluminum 6063. The particulate however dampens the corrosion resistance of Al6063 to deterioration in saline environment with the control sample Xo showing the least corrosion rate (0.15711 mpy), corrosion density (−0.012211 A/cm2) and the highest corrosion potential (0.99186 V). Thus, indicating that the material is not recommended for use in such environment. However, more percentage of the particulates is recommended in order to affirm the optimum ratio to which Al6063 would yield better properties.