Experimental and Numerical Evaluation of Rice Husk Ash-Based Polymer Composites for Sustainable Tribological Applications

Abstract

The reuse of agricultural byproducts in engineering applications is gaining momentum as industries move toward sustainability. This work investigates epoxy composites reinforced with rice husk ash (RHA) as an alternative material for tribological applications. RHA was processed and added to epoxy resin at 5%, 10%, and 15% weight fractions. Tensile and hardness tests revealed that 10% RHA composites achieved the best balance between stiffness and toughness, with strength improvements exceeding 18% compared to neat epoxy. Tribological performance was assessed using a pin-on-disc setup, where composites with moderate filler content showed a 22% reduction in wear rate and stable friction coefficients under dynamic loads. Thermal gravimetric analysis demonstrated increased thermal resistance in filler-reinforced systems, indicating better stability for high-friction conditions. To validate the experimental outcomes, finite element simulations were performed, predicting stress concentrations and confirming wear behavior trends. The synergy between siliceous reinforcement from RHA and polymer bonding was identified as the key factor in performance improvement. Economically, RHA-based composites also showed lower production costs, highlighting their potential for industrial-scale use in automotive and machine component applications. This study contributes to both waste valorization and high-performance material development.