Universal Journal of Mechanical Engineering Vol. 7(6C), pp. 7 - 14
DOI: 10.13189/ujme.2019.071602
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Preliminary Morpho-Mechanical Investigation of X7475 Al-Alloys Produced from Recycled Beverage Can

Abubakar Kazeem ^1,2, Mohammed H. Rady ², Amkpa Job Ajala ³, Nur Azam Badarulzaman ^2,*, Wan Fahmin Faiz Wan Ali ^4
1 Department of Science Policy and Innovation Studies, National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM), Nigeria
² Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Malaysia
³ Department of Foundry Engineering, Federal Polytechnic, Idah, Nigeria
⁴ Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Malaysia

ABSTRACT

The need to turn around the beverage can recycle table from conventional can-can to can-automobile (bumper applications) that was seen as a gap to be filled through a novel Experimental 7475 Aluminium Alloy (X7475). In this study, Aluminium, Zinc, Manganese and Copper were sourced from Recycled Beverage Can (RBC), spent DR 20-BG/T 8897.2 - 2008 Hawk battery and coils of used standing fans respectively. Experimental samples were stir cast. Morphological investigations on over 35 sites revealed elemental composition, nature of defects and possible phases. Annealed (O), naturally aged (T4) and artificial aged (T6) samples were indented for hardness (H). Imperfections and inclusions such as C, O (pores), Na and Fe were observed in the α-Al phase. Hardening precipitates like MgZn₂, Mg₃Zn₃Al₂, Mg₃₂ (Zn, Al)₄₉ and Al_0.5Fe₃Si_0.5 were identified. Peak obtainable H of 140.45 Hv (T6), 134.32 Hv (T4) and 89.11 Hv (O) with the least H of 52.18 Hv. Pores and casting defects were observed due to the production route and constituents from secondary sources which affected the mechanical properties. Future research should focus on Optimization of Mechanical Properties. H should be correlated with tensile strength. The use of alumina crucibles may be options.

KEYWORDS
Morpho-Physical, Recycled Beverage Can, X7475 Al-Alloy, Phases, Defects

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Abubakar Kazeem , Mohammed H. Rady , Amkpa Job Ajala , Nur Azam Badarulzaman , Wan Fahmin Faiz Wan Ali , "Preliminary Morpho-Mechanical Investigation of X7475 Al-Alloys Produced from Recycled Beverage Can," Universal Journal of Mechanical Engineering, Vol. 7, No. 6C, pp. 7 - 14, 2019. DOI: 10.13189/ujme.2019.071602.

(b). APA Format:
Abubakar Kazeem , Mohammed H. Rady , Amkpa Job Ajala , Nur Azam Badarulzaman , Wan Fahmin Faiz Wan Ali (2019). Preliminary Morpho-Mechanical Investigation of X7475 Al-Alloys Produced from Recycled Beverage Can. Universal Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 7(6C), 7 - 14. DOI: 10.13189/ujme.2019.071602.