Effect of Marula Seed Cake on the Mechanical Properties of Aluminium Alloys for the Production of Brake Pad

Reinforcing composites with different agricultural byproducts is cost highly effective and friendly to the environment due to their abundant availability, low cost, renewability and biodegradability. The awareness of environmental sustainability drives composite industry in such for natural reinforcement materials. In this research, the effects of marula seeds cake (MSC) on the mechanical properties of Al-Mg-Si/carbonized marula particulate composites for the production of brake pads were investigated. The compositions of the composite include a matrix of Al-Mg-Si with carbonized marula cake particulates as reinforcement ranging from 0% to 14% at an interval of 2%. Physical and mechanical properties of the composites were examined. The results revealed that with increasing the reinforcement content, density decreased while yield, ultimate tensile strength and hardness values increased progressively, but the impact and percentage elongation decreased. The results, it showed that marula seeds cake (MSC) as a promising material can be used as reinforcement material for the production of composites in automotive and other related industry.