S. Kumaravel’s research while affiliated with Kongunadu College of Engineering and Technology and other places

In this present investigation, the effect of pozzolanic particles on density, surface morphology, mechanical, corrosion resistance, and thermal properties of A356 grade aluminum alloy was studied. The 10 µm pozzolanic waste particles (coal power station–waste fly ash) were varied from 0 to 15 wt.% under 5 wt.% interval and synthesized via liquid metallurgy semisolid stir cast technique. The prepared A356 alloy and its composites were evaluated for density, microstructure, impact toughness, tensile and compressive strength, ductility, and corrosion resistance. Compared to cast A356 alloy, the pozzolanic ash-reinforced composite found optimum density and reduced porosity (less than 1%). The scanning electron microscope (SEM) observed the surface morphology of pozzolanic particles-reinforced A356 composites, showing the uniform particle distribution resulting from A356/15 wt.% pozzolanic composite has found superior impact toughness, tensile and compressive, and high elongation rate of 3.12 ± 0.05 J/mm2, 205.65 ± 4.5, 269.35 ± 4 MPa and 4.8%, respectively. 15 wt.% pozzolanic-reinforced A356 composite facilitated good corrosion resistance compared to others.

Synthetic fiber-based polymer matrix composites face significant nonbiodegradability problems, zero water absorption, and burn. The present investigation attempt to fabricate the epoxy resin-based polymer matrix composite with alkali-treated natural tamarind fruit fiber as the content of 0 wt%, 10 wt%, 20 wt,%, and 30 wt% via resin mold technique. The effect of (alkali-treated) tamarind fruit fiber on environmental degradability, tensile strength, and water absorption performance of the composite was evaluated and compared with untreated tamarind fruit fiber-synthesized composite sample. It revealed that 30 wt% alkali-treated tamarind fiber composite facilitates good degradable (3.9% weight loss), maximum tensile strength of 28.3 MPa, and limited water absorption of 5.8%. The revealed results permit the prospective effect from the tamarind fruit waste considered as a future polymer composite filler for automobile dashboard applications.