IMPACTS OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON NIGERIA’S ECONOMY: EFFECTIVE FOUNDRY TECHNOLOGY AS A SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION
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Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
UNIVERSITY OF GALATI
Abstract
This study considered the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy of
Nigeria and investigated the effective application of foundry technology to proffer a
sustainable solution to the problem. Domestication of production of motorcycle
components, being a significant means of transportation that is required for the
development of any society was considered. Aluminium scraps from a waste dump
and Belle and Oyun natural moulding sands in Kwara State, Nigeria, which have
been previously recommended for non-ferrous casting in previous studies were
considered and used for casting of motorcycle/tricycle parts (centre stand and
brake pedal) using AFS guidelines. The scraps’ chemical compositions were
analysed. Thereafter, some mechanical properties with the microstructure of the
aluminium casts and that of commercially obtained imported types were examined
using appropriate ASTM standards. Cast aluminium alloy produced using scrap
had no casting defects and had some mechanical properties comparable to those
available on the markets (imported). Thus, effective usage of naturally available
moulding sands in Nigeria for foundry applications would help to proffer
sustainable solutions to the nation’s economic problem as a result of the adverse
effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Description
Keywords
Covid-19, Aluminum alloy, Casting, Foundry, Moulding sand