Effect of rice husk ash and periwinkle shell ash on mechanical properties of recycled aluminium composite

Abstract

The need to enhance the mechanical strength and performance of recycled aluminum composites, which are increasingly utilized in various engineering applications for their sustainability, has attracted both academic and industrial attention. This paper investigates the impact of incorporating rice husk ash (RHA) and periwinkle shell ash (PSA) on the mechanical properties of recycled aluminum composite materials using stir casting technique. RHA and PSA were introduced as partial replacements for conventional fillers in the composite matrix. The effects on tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact resistance were examined. The results reveal that the addition of RHA and PSA led to notable improvements in the mechanical properties of the composite, with optimal compositions achieving a significant increase in strength and toughness. The tensile strength and hardness of the composites increases upon the addition of RHA and increases as the weight percentage of PRA increases from 2% to 10%. The ultimate tensile strength of composites increases from 127.21 MPa for the control sample to 188.26 MPa for the Al/2% RHA/10% PRA composite. The findings aid in the sustainable development of lightweight and high-strength composite materials, particularly in recycling aluminum for eco-friendliness, environmental conservation, material science advancement, and high-performance alternatives for various engineering applications.