DefinePK

Abstract

Despite the vast opportunities that nanotechnology presents due to its application in various sectors, these opportunities are still yet to be maximized in many other areas. Agricultural wastes which ordinarily are a menace to the environment could be synthesized into nanoparticles and used to develop cutting fluids. This study highlights the possibility of the development of such nanofluids from tri-agro wastes. Banana peels, Coconut shells, and Egg shells were synthesized into nanoparticles using the centrifugal process and were characterized using a scanning electron microscope. Nanoparticles were sonicated to ensure homogeneity and mixed with the base fluid to develop the nanofluids. Performance evaluation on grinding of stainless steel plates showed that the developed nanofluids produced a better surface finish of 1.00痠 than the conventional cutting fluid which produced a surface finish of 1.73 痠 during the grinding of galvanized steel. Also, results for mild steel showed a better surface finish (0.617 痠) when nanofluids were used as against when the conventional cutting fluid was used (1.857 痠). Hence, the use of nanofluids developed from tri-agro wastes has not only solved the problem of environmental pollution but has also proved to be a better metal working fluid providing improved surface finish during metal working activities.