Tribological behaviour of rice husk reinforced polymer matrix composite

Abstract

The composite materials constitute a significant portion of engineering materials ranging from every day product like door windows to sophisticated product like aircraft and space application. The biggest advantages of use of composite materials are due to their high strength, low weight apart from other properties like good corrosion resistance, low densities, low thermal conductivities & electrical conductivities, absorption of energy in shock and vibration and finally aesthetic color effect. The material design can be tailor made to specific application and properties requirements. Thus, the composite material offers wide business opportunity in all sectors of industries Environmental awareness today motivating the researchers, worldwide on the studies of natural fiber reinforced polymer composite and cost effective option to synthetic fiber reinforced composites. The availability of natural fibers and ease of manufacturing have tempted researchers to try locally available inexpensive fibers and to study their feasibility of reinforcement purposes and to what extent they satisfy the required specifications of good reinforced polymer composite for different applications. With low cost and high specific mechanical properties, natural fiber represents a good renewable and biodegradable alternative to the most common synthetic reinforcement, i.e. glass fiber. Despite the interest and environmental appeal of natural fibers, there use is limited to non bearing applications, due to their lower strength compared with synthetic fiber reinforced polymer composite. The stiffness and strength shortcomings of bio composites can be overcome by structural configurations and better arrangement in a sense of placing the fibers in specific locations for highest strength performance. Accordingly extensive studies on preparation and properties of polymer matrix composite (PMC) replacing the synthetic fiber with natural fiber like Jute, Sisal, Pineapple, Bamboo, Kenaf and Bagasse etc were carried out. These plant fibers have many advantages over glass fiber or carbon fiber like renewable, environmental friendly, low cost, lightweight and high specific mechanical performance.