Viability of selected agro-waste as case hardening materials for cutting tools – A review

¹ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria
² Department of Mechanical Engineering, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria
³ Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ilorin, Kwara, Nigeria
⁴ Department of Physic. Bowen University, Iwo, Nigeria

Abstract

Machining is an indispensable part of production technology with cutting tool. with cutting tool playing key roles in its operations. The demand for more efficient cutting tool increases continuously with technology. Most of the cutting tools in use are imported and the cost of replacement is high. This problem had resulted in series of studies into the development of cutting tools from indigenous materials, particularly agrowastes. This study was a review of the various tool development approaches using various agrowaste types. The challenges and recorded successes as well as gaps in knowledge have also been identified. Summarily, the use of cutting tools developed from steel types that have been case-hardened by agro wastes is a viable alternative that can be explored for use in machining technology.