Effect of Carbon Reinforcement on the Properties of Seashell Ceramic Composite

Abstract

Seashells are a type of natural ceramic that has qualities comparable to
human bones and teeth. The main component of seashells is calcium carbonate
(CaCO3), which accounts for more than 90% of their weight and contains very few
chemical components. The chemical makeup is quite similar to that of limestone
powder. To create optimum flow in ceramics material, a variety of methods can be
used. Binder and reinforcement are two factors that can help improve the bulk
material's characteristics. Thus, ceramic composite materials from seashell reinforced
with graphite is produced and investigated. The seashell will be obtained in
Seremban's Port Dickson and the shell will then be crushed into powder 150µm. The
parameter of the graphite used are based on the weightage of reinforcement of 0 wt%,
0.1 wt%, 0.2 wt% and 0.3 wt%. Then, density and porosity tests are two physical tests
that are used to test the specimen. The specimen was subjected to flexural strength
and impact testing as part of the mechanical testing. Moreover, an optical microscope
and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) are used to determine the morphology and
fracture mechanism of the specimen. The result of this study shows that the addition
of graphite increases the strength of the specimen