Characterization of Hybrid Rice Husk and Fly ash-Reinforced Aluminium alloy (AlSi10Mg) Composites

The application spectrum of low cost material reinforced metal matrix composites is growing rapidly in various engineering fields due to their superior mechanical properties. In the present study an attempt is made to explore the possibilities of reinforcing aluminium alloy (AlSi10Mg) with locally available inexpensive rice husk and fly ash for developing a new composite material. Hybrid Rice husk and Fly ash particles are added in Aluminium Alloy Matrix at 20% by weight with different proportion using Stir casting method. The fabricated cast specimens are characterized with Optical and Scanning Electron Microscopes. SEM study validates the presence of Rice husk and Fly ash in Aluminium matrix. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength, percentage elongation, and hardness are studied for all stir-cast specimens. A significant improvement is observed for 10% Rice husk+10% Fly ash reinforced Aluminium Alloy composite compared to as-cast specimens without reinforcement additions.