Effect of Particle Sizes on some Mechanical Properties of Kernel Shell Reinforced Al-Mg-Mn Composites

Palm kernel shells (PKS) are wastes and are rich in carbon making them potential sources of reinforcement for composite developments. This work synthesised palm kernel shell nanoparticle and developed Al-Mg-Mn composites at different weight fractions of PKS particle additions. Structural and mechanical properties of the materials produced were studied. TEM result reveals an average size, 72.6 nm of PKS particle obtained after 74 hours of milling. Structural integrity of the nanocomposites was established by SEM. Tensile strength, hardness values and impact energy increase due to 10% by weight of PKS nanoparticle additions are 48.51%, 44.03% and 16.15%, respectively. The improvements in mechanical properties are attributed to firm structure containing Al and MnSi eutectic host harbouring well distributed intermetallic. Better properties of Al-Mg-Mn nanocomposites than micro composites are linked with the refinement of the PKS nanoparticles.