The Development of Oil Palm Shell-reinforced 316L Stainless Steel Composite Prepared by Powder Metallurgy Route

Abstract

Metal matrix composite (MMCs) gained interest of researcher over the past decades due to demanding of excellent and stiff materials. MMCs offer several advantages like high specific strength and modulus, improved elevated temperature properties, low coefficient of thermal expansion, enhanced electrical performance, wear and abrasion resistance. 316L Stainless steel composite was prepared by powder metallurgy route. Stainless steel type 316L act as metallic powder was mixed with Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) and Oil Palm Shell (OPS) as reinforcement and the mixture was compacted using uni-axial compaction machine. The samples were sintered at 1150˚C using tube furnace. Then, physical observation and shrinkage percentage of the resulting samples was analyzed. From the result, the observational best results were shown by sample with 55 wt. % stainless steel content, 45 wt. % oil palm shell, and 5 wt. % polyvinyl alcohol as porosity are present and their ability to maintain the cylindrical shape of the compacted sample.