Production of Auto Connecting Rod from Scrapped Steel and Palm Kernel Shell

Connecting rod significantly impacts both piston and crankshaft, it acts as an intermediate link resisting tensile and compressive forces. Palm Kernel Shells (PKS) are solid, firm, carbonaceous, and organic by-products of the processing of the palm oil nut. This research aimed to produce an auto connecting bar from scrapped steel and PKS. The PKS were dried and milled into powder, charged into a rotary furnace containing molten scrapped steel. A connecting rod pattern is made using a sand mold after modelling using Auto desk inventor. The hot liquid ingot is poured to fill up the mold space. The cast is removed after cooling and prepared for Impact, Tensile and Hardness examinations. Samples of the product are also tested using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) furnished with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). The results showed that the maximum impact strength is at interface friction of about 32.85o, Internal friction angle of 19o and a tangential force of about 0.35 kN and yields at a tensile stress of 272.0 MPa. The brinel hardness value of 245 MPa was obtained. The SEM revealed graphite precipitates in mixture of pearlite and ferrite. The EDS Analysis showed the presence of 4.30% Carbon, 1.3 % Silicon, 0.54% Copper, 0.25% Nickel, 6.20% Magnesium, 85% Iron, 0.15% Manganese, 1.22% Zinc and 0.30% Chromium. This study confirmed that the connecting rod produced can withstand the necessary tensile and compressive loads. Keywords: Cast iron, Connecting rod, Palm Kernel Shell, Characterization, Mechanical Property