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Fabrication and Characterization of Thermal Insulators Using Rice Husk Ash and Evaluation of Effect of High Temperature on Thermal Conductivity of the Insulators

Mbakaan C*, Aiji AA

This paper present a novel, simple and cost effective method of fabricating thermal insulators using a common waste material known as Rice Husk (RH). The ash used in this research work was calcined at a temperature of 600o C. Chemical composition of the rice husk ash was determined by XRF. The as- produced thermal insulators were formed by pressing method and sintered at high temperatures. Thermal conductivity of the Rice Husk Ash (RHA) thermal insulators was determined using the hot flux method (ASTM E 1225/87) and values calculated using Fourier’s equation for steady state heat conduction. XRF result shows SiO2 as the major compound with some oxide impurities such as P2O5, K2O, and CaO. Result of thermal conductivity shows that even though k-values are low at higher sintering temperatures the values increase with increased sintering temperature. This result suggests photon conductivity (radiation) mechanism of heat transport at high temperatures. The result also suggests high insulation from the thermal insulators.