SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERISATION OF ABRASIVE MATERIALS PRODUCED FROM SNAIL SHELLS AND SILICA

Surface finishing operation is a very vital aspect of the manufacturing process and would not fully be achieved without abrasives such as emery paper. Some materials used in production like alumina (Al2O3), Boron Carbide (B4C) are expensive thereby limiting their usage. This work aimed at producing abrasive from snail shells, silica (SiO2), epoxy resin while melamine formaldehyde acts hardener. The raw were sieved according to ASTM E11-20 standard obtain an average particle size 400 µm. composites produced by varying different amounts well other materials. samples analysed using physical, mechanical, microstructural characterization techniques. An analysis results showed that content composite increased, hardness values increased. wear rate containing shell powders higher than those only silica. morphology obtained through tests revealed silica-based has better interfacial bonding which helped confer strength. Therefore, can produce with required mechanical properties comparable conventional abrasives.