Mechanical Characterisation of Carbon-Silica Reinforced Composites for Turbine Application
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Date
2019
Authors
Sekunowo, O.
Durowaye, S.
Ogunsina, O.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of the Institute of Engineering.
Abstract
Materials selection and development for application in advanced
systems is becoming highly complex involving the need for lower cost alternatives
without compromising service performance. This paper investigated selected
critical mechanical properties of ceramic matrix composites synthesized from
coconut shell carbon (CSC) reinforced with silica particles (SP). Coconut shells
(CCS) and silica sand (SS) were pulverized separately in a plate mill and a ball mill
respectively to obtain a particle size of 250 µm. The CCS powders were calcined
at 5000 C in an oven to obtain coconut shell ash (CSA) which was carbonized
in a furnace from 5000 C-10000 C under argon gas controlled environment. The
materials were mechanically blended while the SP additions varied from 10-40
wt. % and compacted using hydraulic press. The compacted mixture was sintered
at 5000 C-12000 C, held for 2 hrs and the composites characterised for mechanical
properties while the microstructural integrity was analysed using scanning electron
microscope/energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). Microstructure
showed that after sintering, coconut shell carbon developed strong cohesion with
the silica particles which gave rise to effective load transfer. The mechanical
properties that ensued demonstrated on the average 52.8 % comparability with
conventional power plant structural materials in terms of hardness, compressive
strength and impact energy.
Description
Keywords
Ceramic matrix composites, microstructure, mechanical properties
Citation
Journal of the Institute of Engineering; 15(1): 166-174