A Survey on Effect of Agro Waste Ash as Reinforcement on Aluminium Base Metal Matrix Composites

In the present day availability of agricultural waste products is very huge quantity. Most of the industries prefer Metal matrix composite (MMC) due to their density, high strength to weight ratio, hardness, corrosion resistance, fatigue and creep resistance. Hence they are widely used in structural applications along with aerospace and automobile industry, marine, sports, electronic and automation industries. In the present paper a study is focused on the mechanical, tribological and corrosion behavior of the metal matrix composite using different agro waste ash which is easily available. Agro waste ash like Rice Husk, groundnut shell, bamboo leaf, coconut shell can be used as reinforcement and applicable for various applications like automotive, structural components. From this current study, it’s clearly identified that addition of agro waste ash as reinforcement with Aluminium improves the properties of metal matrix composite. Aluminium metal with such reinforcement materials has shown a high specific strength, yield strength and ultimate tensile strength, also it will increase hardness, satisfactory levels of corrosion resistance.


Introduction
Aluminum is widely used as a structural material especially in the aerospace industry because of its light weight property. However, the low strength and low melting point were always a problem. A cheap method of solving these problems was the use of reinforcement element such as SiO 2 , SiC particles and whiskers or other elements or compounds as alloying element.
Metal matrix composites (MMCs) like Al600 series (Al6061/6063) are of great interest in industrial applications for lighter materials with high specific strength, stiffness and heat resistance. The processing of MMCs by casting process is a very promising way of manufacturing near net shape composites at a relatively low cost. The 6000 series of aluminum alloys have so far exhibited remarkable mechanical properties, formability, higher corrosion resistance, better weld ability, high strength-to-weight ratio and a lower cost as compared to other counterparts, such as the 2000 and the 7000 Al alloys. This set of aluminum alloys constitutes the highest volume of aluminum products, which have been widely employed in a variety of technologies, including automobile and aerospace industries, pipes, architectural applications, bicycle frames, transportation equipment, bridge railings and welded structures. Among the vast variety of alloying elements available for the development of the heat-treatable 6000 series, recent investigations have proposed silicon and magnesium as the major alloying elements. Moreover, both elements are essential materials for precipitate strengthening [1] [2] [3] [4]. Furthermore, aluminum AA6063 alloy is widely employed for construction and transportation applications [5].
Research efforts have been geared towards the use of recycled wastes as reinforcing fillers to develop composite. Today's world has been looking for the maximum optimization as possible in every field and "engineering" is not an exception. In the quest for these developments, much affected is the environment. So the development of low cost metal matrix composites reinforced with eco-friendly material has been one of the major innovations in the field of materials to curtail environmental pollution.
The different reinforcing materials used in the development of AMCs can be classified into three broad groups: Synthetic ceramic particulates Industrial wastes Agro waste derivatives.
Parameters considered for design of AMCs are linked with reinforcing materials. A few of such parameters are reinforcement type, size, and shape, and volume fraction, modulus of elasticity, hardness & manufacturing process.

Synthetic Ceramic Particulates
Silicon carbide (SiC), alumina (Al 2 O 3 ), boron carbide (B4C), tungsten carbide (WC), graphite (Gr), carbon nanotubes (CNT) and silica (SiO 2 ) are some of the synthetic ceramic particulate that has been studied but silicon carbide and alumina are mostly utilized compared to other synthetic reinforcing particulates [6]. Conventional AMCs reinforced with SiC or Al 2 O 3 have shown improved strength and specific stiffness over the monolithic alloys but this occurs at the expense of ductility and fracture toughness [7] [8] and [9].
gine blocks and those fabricated in aluminum alloys with other metal alloy liners, which thus provides a higher level of performance [5].  [24].
The use of inexpensive reinforcements such as natural material might reduce the overall cost of AMMCs and may also increase its functionality in different applications [25]. The search for low cost options in AMMC production has led to a number of efforts tailored at utilizing industrial and agro waste products as reinforcing materials. Similarly it was observed by author Marin E. et al. [26] that the cost of aluminium metal matrix composite (AMMCs) remains high, which limits its applications. The use of inexpensive reinforcements such as natural material might reduce the overall cost of AMMCs and may also increase its functionality in different applications.
In this regard, a number of researchers made attempts on agro waste ashes such as baggase ash, rice husk ash (RHA), coconut shell ash, palm kernel shell ash, groundnut shell ash (GSA) and bamboo leaf ash as complementing reinforcements. The agro waste ash contains a high content of silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) with the distribution of other elements such as Al 2 O 3 , Fe 2 O 3 , CaO, MgO and C [27]- [32].
However, Metal matrix composite technology is still in developing stage and several important combinations of reinforcement especially agro-based ash are yet to study. In this regards many researchers are made attempt on agro waste ash as reinforcement material with metal matrix composites as given below.

Literature Review
Study was carried out by C.U. Atuanya et al. [33] that Fabricated Al-Si-Fe alloy does not occur at the particle-matrix interface.
Prepared Al 1100 metal matrix composites reinforced with 15% coconut shell ash of size 60 μm through compo casting carried out by Ankesh Kumar et al. [34]. It was found that the density of Al-CSAp composite is less than Al alloy. Prepared AlSi10Mg composites reinforced with rice husk ash of different particle sizes like 50 -75, 75 -100 and 100 -150 μm by 3%, 6%, 9%, and 12% by weight through the liquid metallurgy method studied by S. D. Saravanan [36] The results revealed that composite reinforced with coarse rice husk particles shows better wear resistance compared to fine particles. The wear rate of composite decreased with increase in the weight percentage of rice husk.
T. B. Asafa et al. [37] investigated that, Fabricated Aluminum metal matrix composites reinforced with snailshell particles of weight fraction ranging from 16 to 48 wt% and size of 200, 400 and 600 μm by using stir casting technique The results showed that, at 48 wt% and 600 μm particle size the tensile strength was 236 MPa and hardness was 48.3 HRF, respectively.
Manufactured Aluminum 6063 alloy composites reinforced with 150 μm walnut powder by wt% of 3%, 5%, and 7% through stir casting which is carried out by Omole et al. [38] and revealed that At 7% of reinforcement the hardness is high with value of 113.6 BHN and tensile properties were also increased compared to other composites.
Kenneth Kanayo ALANEME et al. [39] found that, the corrosion behavior of Al-Mg-Si alloy based composites reinforced with groundnut shell ash (GSA) and silicon carbide (SiC) was investigated. The aim is to assess the corrosion properties of Al-Mg-Si alloy based hybrid reinforced composites developed using different mix ratios of GSA (a cheaply processed agro waste derivative which served as partial replacement for SiC) and SiC as reinforcing materials. GSA and SiC mixed in weight ratios 0:1, 1:3, 1:1, 3:1, and 1:0 were utilized to prepare 6 and 10 wt% of the reinforcing phase with Al-Mg-Si alloy as matrix using two-step stir Open Journal of Composite Materials In the work of K. K. Alaneme et al. [40] investigated that, the ash produced during the incineration of bamboo leaf was used as a reinforcing phase incorpo-  [41] observed that the microstructure and mechanical characteristic of Zinc-Aluminum composite reinforced with coconut shell ash (CSA) and silicon carbide was examined. Five samples were prepared with compositions 0 wt% SiC particles added with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 wt% CSA were utilized to prepare 10 wt% of the reinforcing phase with Zinc-Aluminum matrix composite using two-step stir casting method. The agro waste material was preheated to a temperature of 250˚C before being introduced into the Zinc-Aluminum composite in molten state. Mechanical properties were used to characterize the composites produced. The result shows that decrease in the percentage of SiC resulted to a corresponding decrease in hardness and wear resistance while increase in CSA led to increase in shear strength and torsion. The microstructure shows that SiC and CSA were well dispersed in the alloy matrix. In conclusion, the hardness and wear characteristics of the composite improved with increased in SiC reinforcement.
Recently Atuanya et al. [42] investigated the effect of breadfruit seed hull ash on the microstructures and properties of Al-Si-Fe alloy/breadfruit seed hull ash particulate composites fabricated through stir casting technique. It was found that the density of the breadfruit seed hull ash is 1.98 g/cm 3 which means that breadfruit seed hull ash is very light material. The value obtained fall within the Open Journal of Composite Materials range of density of fly ash and bagasse ash which are 1.8 and 2.2 g/cm 3 .
Prasad et al. [43] carried out an investigation on stir cast aluminium hybrid composite containing equal amount of rice husk ash and silicon carbide from 2% to 8% in step of 2. They found out that there was homogenous distribution of the reinforcement in the matrix. Hardness, yield strength and ultimate tensile strength increased with increase in the reinforcement while percentage elongation and CTE had inverse relationship with increasing reinforcement.
Alaneme et al. [44]  Adnan Adib Ahamed, et al. [45] has article highlights on the work where an attempt is taken to fabricate aluminium matrix composite reinforced with rice husk ash (RHA) particles, an agricultural byproduct with high amount of silica. RHA particles, upon analysis, are incorporated into the Al matrix melt by stir casting. Magnesium (~1%) is used as a wetting agent between matrix and reinforcement. 3%, 6% and 9% wt. of RHA are added into the matrix. The microstructure analysis reveals the reinforcing particle distribution inside the matrix which indicates successful fabrication of the composites. The density and mechanical properties such as strength and hardness are measured for both unreinforced metal and composites. The results found in the tests show a decrease in density with increasing reinforcement while increasing yield strength, ultimate strength and hardness of the composites with increasing reinforcement from the unreinforced condition.
B. Praveen KUMAR et al. [46], the fabricated composite specimens were subjected to various tests to determine the mechanical properties such as density, porosity, hardness and tensile strength. The results were compared with basic matrix alloy. Furthermore, the OM, SEM with EDAX and XRD analyses were carried out to analyze the dispersion of the reinforced particles in the selected matrix alloy. It was observed that the homogeneous distribution of BLA particles in composites was intragranular in nature. Moreover, it was also observed that BLA particles were well bonded with matrix alloy with clear interface. It was also found that the density decreased with increase in mass fraction of BLA particles and porosity increased with increase in mass fraction of BLA particles. The hardness and tensile strength were increased up to 4% of BLA in the composite, Open Journal of Composite Materials with a further increase in BLA content the hardness and tensile strength decreased.
Recently, work carried out on a characterization of coconut shell ash for potential utilization in metal matrix composites was studied by P. B Madakson et al. [47]. The result showed that coconut shell ash contains Silicon Oxide (SiO 2 ), In the work by Deshmukh et al. [49] the mechanical properties of Al based MMC reinforced with RHA and metallurgical grade SiO 2 with varying percentage of Mg (0.5, 1, 2.5 and 5 wt%) was studied. To fabricate the composites, amorphous SiO 2 (extracted from rice husk) was added in proportion of 5 wt%, into the alloy samples by the stir casting route, repeating the procedure for the metallurgical grade SiO 2 . The SiO₂ extracted from rice husk was in the range of 32 -56 nm while the metallurgical grade SiO 2 was about 10 μm average size. It was reported that with the increasing of Mg percent up to 2.5 wt% to the molten alloy, the hardness values increased in both fabricated composites. This can be attributed to a better wet ability of SiO 2 particles and formation of hard phase of spinel and a solid solution of Mg in Al matrix in the presence of 2.5 wt% Mg. Consequently, excessive lattice distortion of Al occurs, resulting in the formation of finer grains with higher hardness. Besides, Nano scale SiO 2 derived from rice husk has more reactivity and surface area with molten alloy than metallurgical grade SiO 2 and hence, the former results in the formation of porosity and the later causes less contact area with the matrix. The wear loss of Al-2.5 wt% Mg composite reinforced with rice husk silica was also found to be minimum than that of other samples of composites. From the SEM micrographs of the worn out particles it was concluded that for the composite with 2.5% Mg and with rice husk silica as reinforcement, the minimum worn out particles are seen which is equivalent to maximum hardness and minimum wear loss.
L. Lancaster et al. [50] published a detailed study of the utilization of agro-based materials like coconut shell ash, rice husk etc. as reinforcement materials. The wear, corrosion, mechanical and physical properties of the MMC was studied along with the future potential and application of agro-based waste product as reinforcement material in composites in various industrial sectors like automobile, aerospace and other sectors. It was concluded that addition of agro-based products like coconut shell ash enhanced the existing material. Further, it was concluded that these agro-based products can be used as a material of reinforcement in producing better composites to be further used in automobile, industry, construction industry and various other industries.
Ajit Kumar Senapati et al. [51] has reviewed that the utilization of waste products as reinforcement in MMCs. There again it was concluded that the addition of waste product like coconut shell ash as reinforcement, the properties of the existing material got enhanced and improved in different properties of composite materials.
It was observed by Ankesh Kumar et al. [52] that the Hybrid MMCs are the advanced engineering materials in which there are a reinforcement of two or more different materials which leads to the enhancement of physical, mechanical and machinability properties. In this view, the present analysis focuses on the study of Al-Coconut shell ash metal matrix composites. The present paper is aimed to review the enhancement in mechanical combined with physical properties and machinability characteristics of aluminium in the presence of reinforcement with Coconut shell ash (CSA). Density and hardness will be tested and in the later part analysis of machinability properties for composite. The machinability characteristics are designed by taguchi orthogonal array [L9] to determine the influence process parameters. Speed, feed rate and depth of cut are process parameters with responses are surface roughness for aluminium alloy and composite with 15% of CSA. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revels the best optimal condition and influence of parameters on surface roughness.
Hanumanth Gouda et al. [53] found that Hybrid metal matrix composites (MMC's) are significant kind of engineering materials used in automotive, aerospace, marine hardware and other applications because of their lower density, cast ability and better mechanical and wear properties compared to pure aluminum. So, an effort is made to study density, wear and corrosion resistance of A356 alloy based hybrid composites containing RHA and Al 2 O 3 particulates in equal proportions (1 wt%, 2 wt%, 3 wt%, 4 wt% and 5 wt%) are studied with different aging conditions. Stir casting is a type of liquid metallurgy technique was employed in which preheated reinforcements were introduced. A scope of enhancement in both corrosion and wear resistance is observed in Double aged with strain specimens over as-cast, single aged and double aged without strain condition. It was also observed that the density of hybrid composites decreased with increasing particle content. The microstructure of the composites was ex-Open Journal of Composite Materials amined to analyze the dispersion of RHA and Al 2 O 3 particulates in a matrix using optical microscope.
Bahrami A et al. [54] found that there are several advantages in using the agro waste as reinforcements; these cost very less for processing, easily available in massive at an economical price and often lower densities in comparison with some ceramics (such as silicon carbide, boron carbide and alumina), benefit in conservation and protection of the environment. An overview of the recent studies on AMCs reinforced with agro waste derivatives and synthetic ceramic particulates is presented below. The fabrication characteristics and mechanical behavior of rice husk ash-alumina reinforced Al-Mg-Si alloy matrix hybrid composite produced via stir casting was studied by Alaneme et al. [55], The 10 wt% reinforcing phase consisted of 2, 3, 4, and 6 wt% RHA as a complementing reinforcement to alumina. The authors reported that there was a slight decrease in hardness, ultimate tensile strength of the hybrid composites as compared with the single reinforced Al-Mg-Si/Al 2 O 3 composites. However, composites sample containing 2 wt% exhibited higher specific strength, percentage elongation and fracture toughness than the single reinforced AMCs. The slight reduction in yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and hardness was attributed to lower hardness value of silica, which is the predominant compound in the rice husk ash.
Prasad et al. [56], carried out an investigation on stir cast aluminium hybrid composite containing equal amount of rice husk ash and silicon carbide from 2% to 8% in step of 2. They found out that there was homogenous distribution of the reinforcement in the matrix. Hardness, yield strength and ultimate tensile strength increased with increase in the reinforcement while percentage elongation and CTE had inverse relationship with increasing reinforcement.
An effort has been made by Poornesh M. et al. [57], that to study about the properties of the composites prepared by reinforcing pure aluminum metal with varying percentage of Coconut Shell Ash and SiC particles. The composites were prepared using stir casting process with bottom pouring at a pre-set melting temperature and stirring speed. The produced composites were then studied for mechanical properties like hardness, density etc. It was noticed from the results, that the inclusion of ash and ceramic particles has a significant influence on the mechanical properties but will make the composites brittle.
Recently research work carried out by Gladstone et al. [58], that the applications of Al-MMCs are limited by high cost and hence the search for cheap agricultural materials as reinforcements to enhance their applications. Rice husk ash (2 -3 μm) has been used to reinforce AA6061 aluminum alloy and it was reported that the reinforcement distributes uniformly in the matrix and enhanced the tensile strength and hardness with increase in mass fraction of the reinforcement up 8% over the unreinforced alloy.
Also it was recently reported by several authors, that utilization of agricultural wastes as filler for Al-MMCs [59] [60] and [61]. Agricultural wastes are cheap compared to carbide, oxide and boride fillers. They constitute environmental P. P. Kulkarni et al. Open Journal of Composite Materials problems, hence, the need to find useful applications for them.

Conclusions
Based on the extensive literature survey following conclusions can be made as given:  The mechanical properties like hardness, impact strength, compressive strength, tensile strength were increased with increase in reinforcement percentage.  Also other properties like physical properties like density decreased when composites reinforced with reinforcements like Agro waste ash as reinforcement.  The mechanical property like hardness ultimate tensile strength was decreased with hybrid composite compared with single reinforcement.  The Corrosion properties were reviewed; it is concluded that the corrosion resistance property increases with agro waste ash reinforcement.  The Wear or tribological properties were reviewed; it is concluded that the wear resistance property increases with increase in content of hybrid reinforcement compared to single reinforcement like agro waste ash. Finally there is immense potential, scope and opportunities for research in the field of prediction on tribological and mechanical properties of the Aluminum alloys by reinforcing with different agro waste ashes as a reinforcement.