Development of melon shell bio-waste particles reinforced 6063 aluminium alloy for lightweight automobile applications

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to develop melon shell bio-waste particles reinforced 6063 aluminium alloy for lightweight automobile applications such as window frames, radiators, and suspension system parts. Design/methodology/approach This study investigates the microstructure evolution, corrosion resistance and hardness of melon shell bio-waste particles–reinforced 6063 aluminium alloy using a scanning electron microscope equipped with energy-dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometer (XRD), potentiodynamic polarisation technique and Brinell hardness testing machine. Findings The 6063 Al alloy sample reinforced with 10% weight melon shell particles (MSPs) had the maximum hardness (108.98 kgf/mm2) and the lowest Cr of 0.1148 mm/year. The scanning electron microscopy images showed that the MSPs-reinforced samples had a smoother morphology, lower porosity and a more refined microstructure than the unreinforced sample. AlCaCO3, AlMnFeS, Al2O3, MgZnCO3 and AlZnS2 were among the high-peak-intensity crystallites observed in the samples’ XRD profile. Originality/value This study provides data support for understanding the corrosion mechanism and corrosion characteristics of melon shell biowaste particles–reinforced 6063 aluminium alloy. It also provided the crystallographic phases in the composite.