Rice Husk Ash Reinforced Aluminium Metal Matrix Composites: A Review

Abstract

Metal matrix composite materials are a novel material generation capable of handling the implementation of advanced technology's growing needs. Aluminium-based metal matrix composites are widely used in automobiles and aerospace, as well as other industries, including defence and marine systems, due to their relatively low processing costs as compared to other matrices such as magnesium, copper, titanium, and zinc. Ceramic particles were shown to improve mechanical properties like hardness and tensile strength. The product's compactness and price, however, were both boosted. Agricultural waste materials are widely available today in significant amounts, and researchers have focused on using wastes as reinforcing fillers in composites to counteract pollution. Rice husk ash added to an aluminium alloy matrix increases the composite's mechanical properties while also increasing its wear resistance. According to scanning electron micrographs of the composite, the ash from rice husks is evenly distributed all over the aluminium matrix. Wear can vary from micro-cutting to oxidation at high temperatures in an aluminium alloy. Strain fields are produced and composite material wear resistance is improved due to the difference in coefficients of thermal expansion between the matrix and reinforcing materials. This study focuses on the production process, properties, and performance of an aluminium alloy composite incorporating rice husk ash, which has high hardness as well as wear resistance.