Comparative Analysis of Palm Kernel Shell Powder and Ash as Reinforcements on the Mechanical Properties of Aluminium Alloy Matrix Composites

The present study examines comparative analysis of palm kernel shell powder (PKSP) and ash (PKA) as reinforcements on the mechanical properties of Aluminium alloy matrix composites. The produced composites have various percentage weights of PKSA and PKSP (3 wt.%, 6 wt.%, 9 wt.%, and 12 wt.%), and their impacts on hardness, tensile strength, material stiffness, impact strength, and compressive strength were assessed. All the mechanical property tests were conducted following appropriate ASTM standard specifications. The findings showed that both reinforcement materials considerably enhanced the mechanical properties of the aluminium alloy, while PKSA demonstrated better performance than PKSP. The maximum mechanical effectiveness was achieved at 3 wt.% concentration for both reinforcements. Notably, PKSA-reinforced composites exhibited superior tensile strength and hardness (164.61 MPa and 156.32 HRB respectively) compared to PKSPreinforced composites with 131.16 MPa and 142.11 HRB respectively. The unreinforced aluminium alloy has tensile strength and hardness value of 116.31 MPa and 124.85 HRB respectively. Hence, the percentage improvement of 41.5% and 12.8% were recorded by PKSA and PKSP respectively in tensile strength and 25.2% and 13.8% respectively in hardness. However, tensile strain was negatively affected by the addition of PKSA and PKSP to the aluminium alloy matrix but for the composite containing 9%PKSP that recorded 9.98% improvement. Microstructural analysis revealed homogeneous dispersion of reinforcements and improved interfacial bonding between the matrix and reinforcements. The results demonstrated the prospect of utilizing natural and eco-friendly reinforcements such as PKSA to enhance the effectiveness of Aluminium alloy composites for application in the automotive and aerospace industries.