Study on Physio-Mechanical Properties of Rice Husk Ash Polyester Resin Composite

Abstract

The rice husk ash/polyester resin composites were prepared by compression molding method and their physical and mechanical properties were studied by universal testing machine. The hardness of the composites were tested by Leeb rebound hardness tester and Vickers hardness tester .The bulk density of the rice husk ash/polyester resin composite decreased with the addition of the rice husk ash, and the water absorption also found to be increased with increase in soaking time. Flexure strength of the composite was decreased randomly with an increase in rice husk ash content. The elastic modulus for the flexure strength increased up to the percentage 0-10% but decreased on 15% and 20% of the rice husk ash/polyester composite. The compressive strength of the composites was decreased randomly with the addition of rice husk ash content, and the elastic modulus for compressive test was increased firstly on the addition of rice husk ash, but it was decreased after 5%. The Hardness of the prepared composite was found to be decreased with an increase of the addition of rice husk ash content due to elastic deformation.