Effect of Rice Husk Filler on Hardness and Impact Strength of Basalt Fiber Epoxy Polymer Composite

Abstract

Natural fiber composite (NFCs) are gaining importance in various fields of engineering due to their eco-friendly nature and low cost. The aim of this present work was to evaluate the influence of basalt fiber and variation of rice husk powder (10%, 15%, and 20%) on the impact strength and hardness of basalt fiber epoxy polymer composites. By using the compression molding method the compositions were prepared by varying the proportion of rice husk powder. Filler was used to modify the epoxy composite: basalt fiber (BF), epoxy composite, and Rice Husk Particle (RHP). After the materials are subjected to hardness by Rockwell hardness method and impact strength by Charpy method. The results of the conducted research confirm that the addition of a rice husk particle to the basalt fiber reinforced with epoxy polymer composites is an effective method of improving their hardness and impact characteristics.