Authors: A. Siddu Nayak, K. Jyothi, M. Jeevan, P.V.R.Ravindra Reddy
Abstract: The increasing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly engineering materials has promoted the utilization of agricultural waste as reinforcement in polymer composites. Among various agro-based materials, rice husk (RH), a by-product obtained during rice milling, has emerged as a promising reinforcing material due to its low density, abundant availability, renewable nature, and unique silica-rich composition. Rice husk contains cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and a considerable amount of silica, which contribute to its stiffness and thermal resistance. However, the hydrophilic nature of rice husk and the hydrophobic nature of most polymer matrices often lead to weak interfacial adhesion, limiting the mechanical performance of composites.This review paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the reinforcing potential of rice husk in thermoplastic and thermosetting polymer matrices. The influence of rice husk content, particle size, chemical treatment, and processing techniques on the mechanical, thermal, morphological, and water absorption characteristics of composites is critically reviewed. The effects of coupling agents such as maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) and silane treatments in improving fiber–matrix compatibility are discussed. The recent advancements in hybrid rice husk composites and bio-based polymer systems are also highlighted. The review concludes that rice husk has significant potential as a low-cost and eco-friendly reinforcement for manufacturing lightweight materials for automotive, construction, packaging, and consumer product applications.
DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20680516
