S.C Eze, et. al. International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications www.ijera.com ISSN: 2248-9622, Vol. 12, Issue 6, (Series-II) June 2022, pp. 22-29 www.ijera.com DOI: 10.9790/9622-1206022229 22 | Page Comparative Analysis of Some Models of Motorcycle Aluminum Engine Blocks Using Weighted Property Method (WPM). S.C Eze 1 , D.S Yawas 2 and E.T Dauda 3 1 PG Student, Mechanical Engineering Department, FOE, ABU, Zaria, Kaduna State Nigeria 2 Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department, FOE, ABU, Zaria Kaduna State Nigeria 3 Professor, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Department, FOE, ABU, Zaria Kaduna State Nigeria ABSTRACT In this study, compositions and different properties of five (5) models of motorcycle aluminum engine blocks were evaluated. This is fundamental to the development of a composite structure for the motorcycle engine block material. Elemental examination of these models were carried out using X-ray fluorescent (XRF).The study revealed that the dominant elements in these samples were Aluminum (Al) with 75.455 -84.955 wt. %, Silicon (Si) with 10.999 -20.103 wt. %, Copper (Cu) with 1.357- 1.577 wt. %, Magnesium (Mg) with 0.493 - 1.05 wt. %, Iron (Fe) with 0.623 -1.147 wt. %, and Zinc (Zn) with 0.532 -0.815 wt. % respectively. Other trace elements present that may have contributed to the enhancement of the mechanical properties included Calcium (Ca), Tin (Sn), Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb) and Barium (Ba).The material properties investigated included hardness, yield strength, modulus of elasticity, impact strength, thermal conductivity, mass density and corrosion rate. The result on the property tests showed that the hardness and elasticity values varied from 45.67 to 52.83 HRB and from 6771.67 to 8468.95 N/mm 2 respectively. The impact strength ranged from 1.25 to 2.0 J, the density values were within 2313.14 to 2746.41 kg/m 3 while the thermal conductivity values ranged from 88.35 to 292 W/m. o C approximately. A comparative analysis of the models was carried out using the weighted property method (wpm) of qualitative evaluation and a model with the highest performance index (PI) was obtained. The study established that the materials used in the production of these motorcycle aluminum engine block models are Al-Si alloys and fall within he hypo-eutectic, eutectic and hyper-eutectic categorizations. It therefore concludes that Al-Si alloys are suitable materials for use in motorcycle engine block manufacture subject to performance requirements and manufacturability issues. Keywords: aluminum engine blocks, elemental composition, eutectic aluminum alloys, motorcycle engine, weighted property method (wpm) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 28-05-2022 Date of Acceptance: 10-06-2022 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. INTRODUCTION A Motorcycle was defined by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of USA Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards [1] as a motor vehicle with motive power having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground. An engine block is the main structure that houses almost all of the components required for effective performance of the engine which provides this motive power. It is therefore a very important part of a motorcycle engine. Until now, cast iron and aluminum alloys have been the preferred materials used in internal combustion engine blocks manufacture Myagkov, et al [2] Labberton, et al [3] and Harwood [4]. In recent times however, the need for improved engine efficiency through weight reduction has called for alternative alloys that are effective and cost-saving. According to the findings of Mukesh [5] and Keay [6], the engine block alone accounts for 20-25% of the total weight of an engine and 3-4% of the total weight of the average vehicle by European Aluminum Association [7] findings. Thus, it must play a key role in all weight-reduction considerations. Therefore, in pursuit of increased efficiency of the engine through weight reduction, alternative alloy materials that are lighter than cast iron and aluminum alloys but capable of retaining the necessary strength to withstand the forces of an engine are being sought after. The use of aluminum alloy as the metal of choice for weight savings in the engine block manufacture is supported by RESEARCH ARTICLE OPEN ACCESS