Applications of coconut shell ash/particles in modern manufacturing: a case study of friction stir processing

This present study exploited different applications of coconut shell ash (CSA)/particles in additives, filler, aggregates, reinforcements, activated carbon, water purification as well as energy generation. Variability in elemental and chemical compositions as well as chemical contents was established. The research also exploited the application of carbonized coconut shell ash (CCSA) in high strength aluminum, Al7075 alloy. The surface and structural integrities, as well as mechanical characteristics are studied using surface roughness tester, X-ray diffraction analysis, and Xforce P-type Zwick/Roell Z250 Tensile tester, respectively. The fracture surfaces were studied using scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis and chemical compositions of the present study were obtained via X-ray fluorescence. The results from the study revealed that the addition of CCSA has greatly improved the fabricated aluminum matrix composite (AMC) structure-wise and surface integrity-wise. It was noted that the average surface roughness (Ra) recorded for the FSPed Al7075/CCSA was 2.98µm while Ra obtained for FSPed Al7075 was 11.61µm. The crystallite size of the fabricated AMC–FSPed Al7075/CCSA was 38.6nm while that of FSPed Al7075 was 41.2nm and Al7075 was 48.7nm and this was further buttressed by the peak intensity, the intensity of the fabricated AMC–Al7075/CCSA was 6000cps intensity while that of FSPed Al7075 was 3500cps and Al7075 was 2500cps.