Mechanical and thermal behavior of kaolin/rice-husk ash matrix composites reinforced with corrugated steel fibers

Rice-husk silica (RHS), an industrial solid waste from rice processing, and corrugated galvanized steel fibers, were evaluated as alternative raw materials for the production of ceramic-matrix composites. Compositions containing kaolin clay (75-80 vol%), RHS (15-20 vol%), and corrugated galvanized steel fibers (1-2 vol%) were homogenized (12 wt% moisture) and uniaxially pressed at 20 MPa to produce composite materials. The produced composites were dried and fired up to 1300 degrees C in an oxidizing atmosphere, and then characterized in terms of their physical, microstructural, mechanical, and thermal properties. The results showed that materials with 20 vol% RHS exhibited low porosity and high mechanical strength. Composites containing 2 vol% corrugated galvanized steel fibers exhibited the best performance with respect to fracture energy.