Investigation on the Erosion Behaviour of Agro Waste Rice Husk Reinforced Polymer Composite

Abstract

This research addresses the erosion characteristics of agro waste rice husk filled unsaturated polyester composites and based on the results obtained its suitability for the erosion related applications discussed. In this research the composites were fabricated using hand layup method. Composites were prepared by varying the rice husk as 2 wt. %, 4 wt. %, 6 wt. %, 8 wt. %, 10 wt. % and 50 wt. % respectively. Process variable such as impingement angle (IA) 30°, 60°and 90°, impact velocity (IV) of 41, 72 and 100 m s-1, erodent discharge (ED) 2.5, 3.3 and 4 g min-1, exposure time (ET) 5, 10 and 15 min were taken to study the erosion performance on the surface of prepared composites. Statistical technique was used to analyze the erosion characteristics and also to find the optimal condition. SEM was utilized to study the erosion mechanism of the eroded agro waste rice husk filled polymer composite.