Browsing by Author "Ambali, I. O"
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Item Characterization of Belle natural moulding sand for foundry applications(Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, 2019) Shuaib-Babata, Y. L.; Nafiu, M. B.; Ajao, K. S.; Ambali, I. O; Elakhame, Z. U.; Busari, Y. O.; Hassan, H. K.; Aremu, N. I.There exists vast availability of natural sands which may be suitable for foundry applications in different locations Kwara State in particular and generally in Nigeria. The sands need to be identified and characterised for productive and profitable foundry practices. In this study, assessment of chemical and physico-mechanical properties of the natural moulding sand in Belle community of Kwara State, Nigeria was carried out to ascertain its suitability for foundry applications. The analysis of the sand samples’ Chemical compositions were done using an XRF Analyser, while American foundry-men Society, ASTM and British standards laboratory tests procedures were adopted appropriately to determine the sand’s physico-mechanical properties. The results of chemical composition analysis showed that SiO2 have dominance proportion in the sand sample with an average value of 92.90 %, followed by Al2O3 (5.13%). CaO, Fe2O3, MgO, K2O, Na2O, ZnO and MnO were present within acceptable limits as trace elements. The results showed average physico-mechanical properties of the natural moulding sand sample to include grain fineness number (126), bulk density (1765 Kg/m3), moisture contents (7.66%), specific gravity (2.64), permeability (0.1cm/s), green compressive strength (51KN/m2), dry compressive strength (209KN/m2), flowability (65.22%), clay content (10%) shatter index (76%) and refractoriness (>900oC), which were within the required standards for casting of non-ferrous metal. Thus, Belle sand was found suitable for casting of non-ferrous metals. Though, there may be a need for the use of additives like bentonite, to enhance the sand’s clay content in order to increase the sand potential for foundry applicationsItem Suitability of Cow Horn as Filler in an Epoxy Composite(University of Port Harcourt, World Bank Assisted National Agricultural Research Programme (NARP) Publisher, 2019-03) Ambali, I. O; Shuaib-Babata, Y. L.; Alasi, T. O.; Aremu, I. N.; Ibrahim, H. K.; Abdulraaman, S. O.This study focuses on assessment of cow horn as filler in an epoxy composite. A particle-reinforced composite was developed using horn particles (HP) and epoxy resin with filler of varying percentage weight (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%. 25%, 30%, 35%, 40 %) at particle sizes of 100 and 150 μm. The composites were developed by hand lay-up technique with varying process parameters. The properties of the developed composites were examined through tensile, flexural and impact tests. The results showed that the tensile properties of the polymers reduced with the incorporation of the cow horn as filler. But at higher curing temperature, a better strength was achieved. Meanwhile, the flexural and impact properties of the polymers increased with the incorporation of the fiber in no particular order. The composite materials with particle size of 100 μm with curing temperature of 80oC exhibited higher tensile (37.58 MPa) and impact properties (74 J) than the lower particles. Generally, the cow horn was found to be a good potential filler in the composite if prepared using higher curing temperature as exhibited through its mechanical properties.