Mechanical and Tribological Behaviours of Aluminium Metal Matrix Composite Reinforced with Bamboo Powder and Iron Filings

Metal Matrix Composites have wide range of applications in different industries. Conventional materials have limitations when compared to composite materials as they may be lacking in some properties. Metal matrix composites, in particular, offer significant potential because of their improved mechanical and tribological characteristics such as tensile strength, hardness, toughness, and wear resistance. The research aims to produce aluminium 6061 metal matrix composites by incorporating bamboo powder and iron fillings as reinforcements, by so doing, SDG targets 9 and 11 will be met. An efficient and economical approach for producing the composites is crucial. The reinforcement can be readily included into the melt utilizing the cost-effective and readily accessible stir casting procedure. Hardness test, wear test, and impact strength tests were conducted on samples produced using the stir casting technique for comparison. From the results, sample 4 (15% iron fillings) had the highest hardness number value and impact energy value and had the lowest wear rate value. Then sample 1 (15% bamboo powder) gave the least impact energy value. Sample 5 (control) gave the least hardness number value followed by sample 1 (15% bamboo powder). Lastly, sample 2 (5% iron fillings and 10% bamboo powder) gave the highest wear rate and sample 4 (15% iron fillings) had the least wear rate value, meaning it has the highest wear resistance value. The result obtained will be useful in the interdisciplinary fields such as materials science, mechanical engineering and structural engineering as well as materials sustainability.