Effect of rice husk ash silicon nitride on mechanical, wear, thermal conductivity, and flammability behavior of aluminized glass-kenaf fiber-reinforced polyester composite

• Published in: Biomass conversion and biorefinery 2024-01, Vol.14 (24), p.32229-32240
• Main Authors: Prakash, N. Ram, Gnanavel, C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biotechnology; Energy; Original Article; Renewable and Green Energy
• ISSN: 2190-6815; 2190-6823
• DOI: 10.1007/s13399-024-05335-5

The main goal of this present research was to find out how combining hybridized fiber (aluminized glass and kenaf fiber) and biomass-derived bioceramic silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ) affected the mechanical, wear, thermal conductivity, and flammability behavior of a composite made of polyester. Using a thermo-chemical method, rice husk ash was used to create Si 3 N 4 , which was then surface-treated with an aminosilane. Compression molding was used to create the composites, and they were then post-cured at 120 °C. The study’s findings showed that the mechanical properties were enhanced by the inclusion of Si3N4 in addition to aluminized glass/kenaf fiber. Composite A3, which contains 3 vol.% Si3N4, has the improved tensile, flexural, impact, interlaminar shear strength, and compression strength of 138 MPa, 192 MPa, 6.7 J/m, 28 MPa, and 152 MPa. The SEM fractographs showed enhanced toughness in the matrix and highly reactive phases of the reinforcements. Similarly, the wear resistance was increased to 0.12 mm 3 /Nm of sp. wear rate and 0.24 coefficient of friction by the composite designation A4 with 5 vol. % of Si3N4. Furthermore, the Si 3 N 4 -rich A4 composite has the lowest recorded thermal conductivity of 0.214 W/mK. Additionally, the A4 designation explicated a lowest flame propagation speed of 6.14 mm/min (V-0 flame rating) with a lower water absorption % of 0.008. Therefore, it is worthwhile to fully incorporate Si 3 N 4 in addition to hybridized fiber to enhance load bearing capacity, increase wear resistance, and reduce heat transfer in composites with potential structural, automotive, drones, and military equipment applications.