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Studies of Microstructure, Mechanical and
Tribological behaviour of Aluminium can
composites
Siddareddy 1 , Rohith R2, Shiva Kumar 3, Suneel M.V4, Mahadev Prasad5 ,
Avinash L6
UG Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, NMIT Bangalore,Karnataka,India1,2,3,4
Assistant Professor,Department of Mechanical Engineering, NMIT Bangalore, Karnataka,India5,6
Abstract: Aluminum can composite widely used for
application in mechanical and tribological component
of automobile parts like screws,nuts ,rivets,etc.metal
matrix composites(MMCs)constitute an important
category of design and weight-efficient materials this
article highlights on the work where an attempt is
taken to fabricate aluminum can composites reinforced
with rice husk ash(RHA) particles and agricultural
byproducts with high amount of silica.RHA particles
upon analysis are incorporated into aluminum cans
melt by stir casting.4, 8 and 12% of wt,of RHA are
added in to the aluminum can.The micro-structure
analysis reveals the homogeneous particles
distribution in the matrix.the result found in the test
shows a increasing in RHA increases strength and
hardness and wear behavior of composites .
Keywords:Aluminum can,rise husk ash,metal matrix
composite,Stir Casting,micro structure,Agro waste.
1.INTRODUCTION
Aluminum alloy cans is widely used in the canning
industries for food storage in place of traditional glass
jars, bottle and steel cans. This trend is informed by
the peculiar mechanical properties of aluminum such
as light weight, form-ability, corrosion resistant,
excellent barrier, reduced thickness, damage tolerance,
ease of transportation, attractiveness and ease of
printing a high-quality image on the cans [1]. The first
aluminum alloy can was invented in 1972 when their
weight was ten times less than that of glass jars.
Modern cans in use today are even 40 % lighter than
those cans used as far back as in 1972.
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In India, the traditional bottle based packaging
companies such as Coca-Cola, Seven up have
completely modernized their production line or in
some cases shifted completely to the use of Aluminum
can for packaging. The transition from the traditional
bottle packaging to aluminum can packaging has come
with their environmental issues. Large volumes of
aluminum cans drinks are being consumed daily
across India and the empty cans are not properly
disposed. Environmental pollution is increasing
greatly, becoming uncontrollable; streets and drainage
s are being littered by empty drink cans, plastics,
polythene bags used in our day to day lives. Those
wastes were dropped in drainage, preventing water
from flowing leading to water logging which aids
breeding of mosquitoes and disease outbreaks. At
extreme cases, canals, drainage and gutters are
blocked. In rainy season, this leads to over flooding of
cities which at times claiming many lives [2].
In order to reduce if not completely eliminated
menaces associated with poor waste management,
there is a need for recycling of waste materials. As the
name implies, recycling is the new emerging
technology which involves waste conversion into raw
materials for production of new materials for various
engineering applications and also for wealth creation.
In 1992, the Commonwealth Government released the
National Waste Minimization and Recycling Strategy
with a target of reducing the amount of solid waste
going to landfill per capital by 50 % from 1990 to
2000 [3]. The recycling of wastes reduces waste, saves
energy, conserves natural resources, lessens use of
municipal landfills and provides recycle's and
municipalities with considerable revenue [3].
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Aluminum is 100 % recyclable Recycling of
Aluminium uses only 5 % of the energy required for
its initial extraction and processing, 10 % of the initial
capital equipment costs and saves 97 % of the
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Aluminium is an
ideal materials used for architectural, automobile and
aerospace applications because of its light weight,
corrosion resistance and ease of formability but its low
strength and hardness has greatly limited its use in
high strength, hardness and surface wear resistance
applications. Currently, the design of high
performance Aluminium based composites at
significantly reduced cost is receiving much attention
from materials researchers. This is discernible from
the dominant use of stir casting by most researchers
from developing countries; and the sustained interest
in the consideration of industrial and agro wastes as
reinforcements in AMCs.
Agro waste ashes obtained by the controlled burning
of agro waste products such as bagasse, bamboo leaf,
coconut shell, groundnut shell, and rice husk among
others; have the advantages of low densities and
processing cost compared with common synthetic
reinforcing ceramics such as silicon carbide and
alumina. The agro waste ashes have been successfully
utilized to produce Al matrix composites with property
levels which can be improved with the complement of
synthetic reinforcements such as silicon carbide and
alumina. The design concept is built on harnessing the
high strength and wear capabilities of notable
synthetic reinforcements such as silicon carbide and
alumina with the light weight and low cost of
processing of Agro waste ashes. There are very few
literatures which have considered the design of AMCs
with the use of reinforcements of Agro waste ashes.
The mechanical properties of some of these low cost
Al matrix composites have been reported to be
encouraging depending on the weight ratio between
the synthetic reinforcement and the agro waste ashes
selected. The corrosion and wear properties of these
Al matrix hybrid composites are yet to receive any
notable attention considering available literature s.
Corrosion and wear are very important scientific
phenomena requiring consideration in composite
materials design to ensure material reliability in
applications where they come in contact with the
environment and other surfaces. The corrosion
behavior of AMCs is widely acclaimed for its in
conclusiveness judging from the often contradicting
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findings reported by authors for the same MMC
system. Thus it is very unlikely for the corrosion
behavior of newly developed AMCs to be predicted
without subjecting them to experimental studies. The
wear properties of AMCs have been reported to be
dependent on factors such as the nature, size, and
volume percent of the reinforcing particles.
Investigations on the wear behavior of Al MMCs
produced with the use of agro waste ashes as
complementing reinforcement are quite limited in
literature. In this present work, metal matrix
composites have been produced from discarded
Aluminium cans and rice husk ash (RHA). The aim of
this work is to study mechanical, corrosion and wear
resistance properties of the produced Aluminum
can/RHA metal matrix composites. This work is also
aimed at providing solution to menaces associated
with poor management of Aluminium cans and RHA
through recycling of these waste materials. It embraces
conversion of waste into wealth which on a large scale
production will enhance technological development
and economic growth.
Material Selection and sample preparation
The materials used in this work include Rice Husk
Ash (RHA), Aluminium cans, 220-400 grade emery
papers and polishing cloth. The elemental analysis of
the Aluminium can used is shown on Table 1.
Table 1: Chemical composition of aluminium can
(weight percentage)
Element Si Fe Cu Mn Mg Ti Al
% 0.53 0.51 0.03 0.77 0.02 0.04 98.10
Composition
Preparation of RHA
The ash, obtained by burning rice husk was
thoroughly washed with water to remove the dust and
dried at room temperature for 1 day. Washed rice husk
was then heated to 200 C for 1 h in order to remove
the moisture and organic matter. It was then heated to
600 C for 12 h to remove the carbonaceous material
[4]. The chemical composition of the RHA determined
using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy is presented in
Table 2.
Table 2: Chemical composition of Rice Husk Ash
(RHA)
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Composition SiO2 Graphite CaO MgO K2O Fe2O3
%weight 90.23 4.77 1.58 0.53 0.39 0.21

2.OBJECTIVES. Wear Test

a.Load
Conclusions from the literature review prompted for
the need of a systematic study of various mechanical
properties of Rice Husk Ash (RHA) reinforced Drawing conclusion based result
aluminium can (recycled waste) composites. This
study can lead one to explore the possibility of Figure3.1: Flow Chart of Experimental Work
identifying the use of these composites for engineering
applications. Therefore the work taken up had the
following objectives:

1. Fabrication of aluminium can / RHA

composites by Stir Casting route.
2. Microstructure characterization of the
composites using optical microscopes
3. Evaluation of mechanical and Wear 4.IMPLEMENTATION
properties of composites
4. Comparing the results of mechanical, Automotive components such as screws,nuts and
Corrosion and Wear properties of as-cast rivets.
alloy with composites. Aluminium utensil.
5. Drawing Conclusion based on the obtained Foils and conductor cables.
result. Aeronautical application
The present study is thus aimed at producing MMCs
with aluminium can (recycled waste) as the matrix
material with Rice Husk Ash (RHA) as reinforcement 5.OUTCOMES
processed by stir casting route of these composites in
order to obtain mechanical properties suitable for a
wide range of engineering applications We can expect uniform distribution of
reinforcement (RHA) with matrix material
(Aluminium can) by stir casting process
3.Methodology Uniform distribution may lead to good Micro-
Starting Aluminium can with rice husk ash reinforcement structure of composites
Further there will be a good improvement in
mechanical properties of Composites
Specimen Preparation by stir casting process
Optical Microscopic Studies
Aluminium can Aluminium can composites

Micro-structural characterization
Optical Microscopy

Evaluation of Mechanical
Fig 5.1(a)Aluminium Can Ac Fig 5.1(b)Aluminium Can+4% RHA
Properties
Tensile Test(UTS,YTS)
Hardness Test

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Fig 5.1(c)Aluminium Can+8% RHA Fig 5.1(d)Aluminium Can+12%
RHA
Figure 5.1 shows the microstructure of Aluminium can
and its composites.Figure 5.1(a), 5.1(b), 5.1(c), 5.1(d)
shows the micro photographs of both the matrix alloy
(Aluminium Can-recycled waste) and its composites
system. Figure 5.1(b). 5.1(c), 5.1(d) revealed that
presence of rice husk ash (RHA) particles in alloy
matrix and further confirms that there was a fairly
uniform distribution of rice husk ash particles in the
base matrix of Aluminium Can alloy .
From Figure 5.2 it is found that hardness increase
with increasing Rice Husk Ash (RHA) respectively
in the material. As compared to as-cast 4% RHA .
Rice Husk Ash addition shows an increase of 9.7
BHN (21.74%). In contrast 8% and 12% Rice Husk
Ash addition shows an increase of 14.8 BHN
(33.18%) and 15.5 BHN (34.75%) respectively.
Percentage increase in hardness was significant from
0% to 4 %,( i.e. around 21.74%). The improvement
in hardness in casted composites may be attributed to
uniform distribution of reinforcement in the matrix
material.

Tensile Test Results:-
Table :5.2UTS values of Al Can and its RHA composites
SL Alloy composite UTS % Increased in strength
NO Designation
Hardness Test Result:
1 Al Can 219.2 -
Table :5.1 Hardness of Aluminium can and its composites
2 Al Can + 4% RHA 230.9 5.37
SL Alloy/Composite BHN(Hardness) % increase in
3 Al Can + 8% RHA 252.8 15.32
NO Designation Hardness
4 Al Can + 12% RHA 271.5 23.85

1 Aluminium Can Ac 44.6 _________

2 Aluminium Can+4RHA 54.3 21.74%
3 Aluminium Can+8RHA 59.4 33.18%
4 Aluminium Can+8RHA 60.1 34.7%

Fig:5.3UTS Values Of Al Can And Its RHA Composites

From the graph absorbed that addition of rice husk
particle ultimate tensile strength value of composite
compared to Aluminium Can the improvement of UTS
Fig :5.2 Hardness values of Aluminium can and its RHA of 4%RHA composite compared over Aluminium can
Composites is 5.37% and enhancement of 15.32% and 23.85 UTS
of 8% RHA and 12% RHA is observed than compare

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to Aluminium Can desperation of RHA particles in Fig 5.5(c) Fractographic image Fig 5.5(d) Fractographic image of
soft ductile matrix result in improvement of UTS so of Aluminium Can+8% RHA sAluminium Can+12% RHA
UTS value obtained during experiment a taken for the Figure 5.5 shows the Fractographic images of
average of 5 sample which curve closed to each other Aluminium can and its composites. Figure 5.5(a), 5.5
they have been used in this table and graph (b), 5.5 (c), 5.5 (d) shows the Fractographic images of
both the matrix alloy (Aluminium Can-recycled waste)
and its composites system.From the figures 5(a)we can
Table :5.3 Percentage elongation values of Al Can and its RHA
composites observe dimples resulting due to overload failure
SL Alloy Composite UTS % % Decreased under tension. We can observe dendritic structure in
the fractured surface .Whereas ductile and brittle mode
NO Designation Elongation in Ductility
of fracture is observed in Fractographic observation of
1 Al Can 219.2 3.03 - composite.
2 Al Can + 4% RHA 230.9 2.32 23.43
3 Al Can + 8% RHA 252.8 1.80 40.59
Wear Test Results:-
4 Al Can + 12% RHA 271.5 1.73 42.90 Table :-5.4Wear Test Results
SL Alloy Load Wear Rate Wear Rate (WR) in
NO Designation (N) (WR) in (mm3/m)* 10-4
(microns)

1 Al can 5 83 6.95
10 86 7.20

15 173 14.4
2 Al + 4% 5 61 5.10

10 77 6.45
Fig :5.4Percentage elongation values of Al Can and its RHA
15 83 6.95
composites
3 Al + 8% 5 47 3.93
From Fig 5.4 Aluminium can has the highest %
10 48 4.02
Elongation and has the value of % and RHA increased
the ductility decreased from the table 15 52 4.35

Fractographic Studies of Aluminium can and 4 Al + 12% 5 27 2.26

Its RHA Composites 10 36 3.01
15 37 3.09

Fig 5.5(a) Fractographic image Fig 5.5(b) Fractographic image

of Aluminium Can of Aluminium Can+4% RHA

Fig:5.6Wear rate V/S Load of Al Can and its RHA

Compositions

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Fig shows the effect of applied load on the wear
resistance of Aluminum can and Rice husk ash (RHA)
composites respectively from the fig we can see the
wear resistance of Rice husk ash composites is higher
than Aluminum can at all load the important of wear
result could loss due to ability of Rice husk ash
particles to carry the greater portion of applied load
Wear Track Analysis for the Aluminium can
and Its R composites:
2
1
Fig 5.7(a) Wear morphology Fig 5.7(b) Wear morphology of
Of Aluminium can Aluminium cam+RHA 4%
1 2
Fig 5.7(c) Wear morphology Fig 5.7(d) Wear morphology of
Of Aluminium can+RHA 8% Aluminium cam+RHA 12%
Fig shows the wear surface morphology of applied
load on the wear resistance of Aluminum can and
Rice husk ash (RHA) composites respectively.From
the above figure 1 denotes the sliding direction and
2 denotes the delamination or particle pull out from
the wear surface respectively. Fig 5.7(a) shows more
wear out of the surface compared to Fig 5.7(b),Fig
5.7(c),and Fig 5.7(d).The surfaces are less wear out
compared to aluminium can
CONCLUSION
Rice husk ash particles were successfully incorporated
in a Aluminium can by using stir casting techniques
Microstructure analysis shows the distribution of rice
husk ash in Aluminium can the microstructure reveled
Good inter facial bond between Aluminium alloy and
rice husk particles the ultimate strength is increased
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With rice husk ash content. The strength of
Aluminium can composite maximum in 12% RHA
where as minimum in Aluminium can.
In corporation of rice husk ash particle in Aluminium
matrix can leads to the production of low cost
Aluminium composite with improved hardness
strength this composites can finds where the light
weight materials are required with stiffness and
strength.
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[10] S.I. Talabi, J.O. Agunsoye, S.A. Bello, I.O. Awe
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