Ceramic composites derived from rice hulls and aluminum cans

Abstract

In this paper, the chemical reactions between the white rice hull ashes and the aluminum powders, obtained from milled beverage cans, were investigated under different temperature and atmosphere conditions. Controlling the temperature and the atmosphere conditions resulted in different composites. XRD and SEM characterization technologies were employed to examine the features of the produced composites. Without the presence of oxygen, the white rice hull ashes and the aluminum powders reacted to form the ceramic-metal composites with a networked structure. After raising the temperature from 720°C to 1450°C, the Al₂O₃ in the composites tends to turn into crystal structure from the original amorphous form. On the other hand, with an O₂ atmosphere, the white ash and aluminum system would evolve to mullite or mullite/alumina composites, depending on the ratio of silicon and aluminum in the initial system. This study extended the application of the rice hull, which is a major agricultural waste, and may pave a new route to deal with the agricultural problem as well provide a new industry opportunity.

Citation

Zhang, P., Wang, K. and Guo, S. (2011), "Ceramic composites derived from rice hulls and aluminum cans", World Journal of Engineering, Vol. 8 No. 1, pp. 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1260/1708-5284.8.1.1