Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Rice Husk-Fly Ash-Epoxy Hybrid Composites

An attempt has been made in this investigation to develop natural fibers reinforced polymer composites using rice husk and fly ash as reinforcements. The content of rice husk is varied (10, 15 and 20 weight percentages) whereas the fly ash percentage is kept constant at 5 % in epoxy matrix. Composites have been fabricated using hand layup technique using a suitable die developed in house. All the samples have been tested in Universal Testing Machine as per standard for tensile strength and flexural strength. The hardness and water absorption tests were also carried out. It is observed that composite with 10% rice husk is having highest tensile strength of 33 MPa. Similarly the flexure modulus for 10 % rice husk composite was 4881 MPa. The impact strength of composite with 20 % rice husk was highest. The hardness test showed that composite of 20% rice husk was highest. The water absorption test reveals that composite with 10 % rice husk is the best. It is recommended that composite with 10% rice husk and 5 % fly ash with epoxy matrix will be suitable for structural applications. The composite with 15 or 20 % rice husk may not be used for such purposes. Composite with 15 and 20 % rice husk may be used for making parts of automobiles. But these will not be suitable to work in moist environment. However composite with 10 % rice husk will be suitable for structural applications like packaging, interior decorations, body of washing machines and domestic appliances etc.