Oluwabunmi P. Abioye

Finite Element Modelling of Electrokinetic Deposition of Zinc on Mild Steel with ZnO-Citrus sinensis as Nano-Additive

The electrokinetic deposition of zinc on mild steel substrate under the influence of ZnO-Citrus sinensis nano-additive was investigated numerically using a Finite Element (FE) solver. The conductivity of the Acid chloride plus ZnO-Citrus sinensis nano-additive electrolyte and the properties of Zinc and mild steel electrodes were used as the input codes for the model. The model was designed on a 3-dimensional scale. The boundary conditions were set and the model was meshed using the finer mesh capability in the FE solver. The model was processed and readings of the modelled zinc deposited mild steel were taken, validated and analysed so as to get the optimum parameters from the deposition process. Based on the results, the deposition mass and thickness increased with deposition time with ZnO-Citrus sinensis nano-additive, it is thus recommended that relatively high deposition time should be used in order to achieve optimum deposition.

Impact of Heat Treatment on HSS Cutting Tool (ASTM A600) and Its Behaviour during Machining Of Mild Steel(ASTM A36)

Carburization is one the best heat treatment that responded well to hardening with Palm Kernel Shell giving the best hardness value. This work studied the influence of carburization on HSStool(ASTM A600) and its behaviour during machining of mild steel (ASTM A36). Composition of the samples (12 pieces of 180 x 12 x12 mm) HSS tools were checked using UV-VIS spectrometer and the tools were carburized with PKS at holding temperatures and time of 800, 850, 900,950 oC and 60,90 120 minutes using muffle furnance. The micro structural analysis, surface and core hardnessof the treated samples gave better results than the untreated samples when checked withsoft driven and optical microscope. It wasalso observed that increase in the feed rate and depth for length of cut of 50 mm significantly reduces the wear progression and thereby gave best machining time at maximum carburizing temperature and time(950 oC / 120 minutes) when it was used to cut mild steelon the lathe machine.

Experimental Investigation of the Effect of ZnO-Citrus sinensis Nano-additive on the Electrokinetic Deposition of Zinc on Mild Steel in Acid Chloride

This work investigated the effect of ZnO-Citrus sinensis nano-additive on the electrokinetic deposition of Zinc on mild steel in acid chloride. Fifty-four plates of (100 × 10 × 3) mm3 mild steel samples were cut, cleaned with dilute H2SO4 solution, rinsed in water and dried. The nano-additive was produced by infusing 30 ml Orange Juice extract in Zinc Oxide solution. The acid chloride electrolyte consisting of 71 g ZnCl, 207 g KCl and 35 g H3BO3 in 1 l of distilled water was divided into six portions. The nano-additive with different molar concentrations 0(0.2)1.0 was added to each portion of the acid chloride. Nine plates of mild steel samples were electroplated with zinc as the anode in each of the six prepared electrolyte solution and plated at different times (three plates each at 10, 15 and 20 min). The effects of electroplating on the average weights were measured and the results from the experiment showed the optimal nano-additive concentration and electroplating time.

Investigation of Physicochemical and Mechanical Property of UTAN Granites for Building Applications

The granite formation for production of dimension stone blocks at Utan was investigated in three different locations A, B and C in a view to examine the physical properties of Utan granite using saturation and Buoyancy technique; evaluate some of its mechanical properties; determine its rate of emission of radioactive elements with Geiger Muller Counter; examine its polish-ability; and carry out chemical analysis of the granite samples with the aid of energy dispersive x-ray florescence (ED-XRF). The average porosity obtained is 0.53, 1.08; and 0.86 while the respective average density of 2.58, 2.62 and 2.60 g/cm3 were obtained for A, B and C. The compressive strength of 207.5, 204.6 and 203.4 MPa; and tensile strength of 13.86, 13.68 and 13.60 MPa were obtained for A, B and C respectively. Rockwell hardness values obtained are 89.0, 89.9 and 86.6 while the morh’s hardness values are 6.90, 6.96 and 7.03 respectively for sample A; B and C. The impact values obtained are 0.089, 0.092 and 0.094 for A, B and C respectively. The radioactive rates of samples A, B and C are 6.42, 8.86 and 8.16 Mrem respectively. Sample B is observed to be more radioactive. Both samples are polish able. Conclusively, the three tested granite rocks have suitable physical and mechanical properties that meant the requirement for building purposes; from the polish-ability test, it shows that the three (3) granite outcrops are suitable for the production of granite tiles; countertops; slabs. The chemical analysis revealed that the granite is dominated by quartz (SiO2) which contributes greatly to the hardness of the rock. Also from the radioactive test, the granite samples proved conclusively that the rate of radiation found occasionally in a slab of granite is not harmful to humans when exposed to it. Hence, granite the formation of Utan will be a good building stone material.