Effect of Particle Size on Tribological Behavior of Rice Husk Ash–Reinforced Aluminum Alloy (AlSi10Mg) Matrix Composites

Rice husk ash of three different particle size ranges (50–75, 75–100 and 100–150 μm) a 3, 6, 9, and 12% by weight is reinforced with an aluminum alloy (AlSi10Mg) using the liquid metallurgy method. The dry sliding wear behavior of the composites in the cast conditions is examined using the pin-on-disc tribotesting machine for three different loads (20, 30, and 40 N) with three different sliding velocities (2, 3, and 4 m/s). The results reveal that the composite reinforced with the coarse rice husk ash particles exhibits superior wear resistance compared to the fine rice husk ash particles. The wear rate of the composite decreased with an increase in the weight percentage of rice husk ash particles for all size ranges. Finally, the wear mechanism was investigated with the worn surface using a scanning electron microscope.