Effects of Cow Bone on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Aluminum Bronze Particulates

This research aimed to evaluate the potential of cow bone particulates (CBp) as a sustainable, low-cost reinforcement to enhance the mechanical properties and microstructure of aluminum bronze composites, contributing to eco-friendly engineering materials. Aluminum bronze was reinforced with CBp (0–5 wt%) via stir casting at 1100–1200°C, followed by controlled cooling and heat treatment to optimize interfacial bonding and microstructure. Mechanical performance was assessed through Vickers hardness, tensile, and impact tests, with microstructural insights derived from optical and scanning electron microscopy. Principal results indicate that low CBp additions (1–2 wt%) markedly improve hardness (peak 288.5 VHN vs. 96.1 VHN unreinforced) and tensile strength (300 MPa vs. 310 MPa unreinforced), driven by uniform dispersion and effective load transfer, though impact resistance varies. Higher CBp levels (3–5 wt%) result in agglomeration, reducing tensile strength to 55 MPa and yielding inconsistent hardness and toughness due to microstructural inhomogeneity. The major conclusion is that CBp offers a promising reinforcement at low concentrations, enhancing aluminum bronze for structural applications, but requires refined processing to overcome agglomeration challenges at higher levels, advancing sustainable composite development