Microstructural and Mechanical Properties of Alumina (Al2O3) Matrix Composites Reinforced with SiC from Rice Husk by Spark Plasma Sintering

Abstract

Alumina (Al 2 O 3) suffers from low fracture toughness and low bending strength which restrict its application in the industry for some advanced components. The incorporation of submicron SiC into Al 2 O 3 matrix improves mechanical properties of the matrix. However, the high cost of SiC has delayed the industrial interest of synthesizing Al 2 O 3-SiC composites. Rice husk, an agricultural waste material, is a potential source of low-cost SiC. Therefore, this study presents a simple approach to synthesizing SiC from locally sourced rice husk and using it to reinforce alumina. Rice husk was pyrolysed in a tube furnace under argon atmosphere at different temperatures (1000 °C-1500 °C) and reaction times (60-120 min). Furthermore, Alumina powder was admixed with 5-20 vol% SiC derived from rice husk, and then sintered at temperatures between 1300 °C-1600 °C by spark plasma sintering. Maximum yield of SiC was obtained from rice husk at 1500 °C and 120 min. Materials with theoretical densities higher than 95% were achieved for the sintered composites. The hardness of sintered composites reached a maximum of 20.2±1.4 GPa, while a maximum of 4.7±.7 MPa.m 0.5 was obtained for the fracture toughness.

Spark Plasma Sintering of Nano Silicon Carbide Reinforced Alumina Ceramic Composites

“…This decrease in density values occurred due to the poor sintering property of the SiC. A similar behavior (decrease in density with increasing SiC ratio added to Al 2 O 3 ) was observed in the study of Alweendo et al[12].…”

Sintesa al2o3 Dari Serbuk Boehmite Menggunakan Teknik Spark Plasma Sintering (Sps): Studi Transformasi Fasa, Mikrostruktur Dan Kekerasan

“…Seperti halnya nilai densitas, kekerasan sampel keramik hasil sintering juga meningkat dengan meningkatnya temperatur sintering [26]- [27]…”

Experimental studies on the effect of nano silica modified novel concrete CFST columns

“…Also, by highlighting the effective adhesive interface between RHA particles and the matrix, SEM pictures demonstrated the filler distribution and dispersion inside polymers. Alweendo et al (2020) focused on the mechanical properties of alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) matrix composites reinforced with SiC from rice husk using spark plasma sintering and microstructure analysis. They discovered that rice husk at 1500 °C for 120 min produced the highest output of SiC.…”