The Friction and Wear behavior of modified rice husk filled epoxy composite

Abstract

Rice Husk (RH) is an agricultural waste material abundantly available in rice producing countries. They are removed during the refining process of rice and has no commercial interest. It is generally used as a fuel for heating because of its easy availability and low cost. rice - husk has proved to be efficient filler for developing polymer based composites, provided there is a good compatibility between rice husk and base polymer matrix. In the present work two series of composites were prepared using randomly oriented unmodified and modified rice husk as reinforcement in epoxy matrix. The wear behavior of RH composites reinforced with 5, 10, 15 and 20 wt% were studied using a pin-on-disc apparatus. The wear rate and co-efficient of friction were found to be the functions of normal load, sliding velocities and filler volume fraction. The morphology of worn surfaces of composites was studied using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The positive effect of rice husk reinforcement of both untreated and treated has reflected improved tribological properties of the epoxy composite.