Experimental investigation of rice husk particles as filler in hybrid composites

Abstract EN

Natural fiber is being used in various engineering applications to lower the production cost and to apply green technology.

This research explores the effective utilization of rice husks (RH) as natural filler in polymer composites.

A Hybrid polymer composite was prepared by inserting micro particles of rice husks and fumed silica Nano-powder in an epoxy matrix system.

Composites containing different weight fraction of RH were used (5 %, 10%, 15% and 20 %).

The variation in some physical and mechanical properties were studied and analyzed.Results showed that tensile properties increase with the amount of the natural filler, plus a slight improvement in hardness tests.

Water absorption experiments showed that the diffusion coefficient increased with RH loading.

This investigation suggested the possibility of introducing rice husks fine powder obtained from waste agricultural residues as filler in polymer matrix composites.