Carbon fibers are produced from natural sources of water hyacinth plants that have been dried, ground and sieved to three different particle sizes of 600 μm, 300 μm and less than 300 μm. Through the analysis of data obtained from Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) and Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), pyrolysis process was carried out at three different temperatures that is 320 ° C, 330 ° C and 350 ° C. Effect of different pyrolysis temperature on the properties of carbon fibers produced have been studied using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis method. Results of SEM observed the carbon of the smallest particle size give the best structure and texture of surface morphology for optimum pyrolysis temperature of 330°C.

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Powder metallurgy technique were proved successful net-shape technology which suitable for the production of green glass ceramic (GGC) from rice husk ash (RHA) and characterized by good physical and mechanical properties of glass ceramic. In this research, the glass sample was formed by mixing varying percentage of weight of silica, flux and additives. The aim of this work is to study the effect of the sintering temperature to the physical and mechanical properties of GGC. The samples were mixed in different volume fraction of additives which is 5%, 10% and 15% in constant composition of RHA and flux. The mixture was consolidated into rigid die compaction at 300MPa, then sintered at 450, 550 and 750°C. Vickers hardness test were investigated. The glass composite were then characterize by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The GGC with 10% additives at sintering temperature 550°C shows highest hardness strength which is about 213.0 HV.

Powder metallurgy technique were proved successful net-shape technology which suitable for the production of steel parts characterised by good physical and mechanical properties of MMCs. The aim of this work is to study the effect of the sintering temperature with different volume ratio of natural carbon fibers reinforced copper-zinc alloy via powder metallurgy route. In this study, water hyacinth was used as a natural carbon fiber to replace tin element. The samples were mixed in different volume fraction of natural carbon fiber which is 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% in constant composition of copper alloy (70Cu/30Zn). The mixture was consolidated into rigid die compaction at 300MPa, then sintered at 400, 550 and 750°C respectively in the furnace under Argon atmospheric pressure at a flow rate of 50ml/min for 2h and cooled down naturally under Argon gas protection. Vickers hardness test were investigated. The composite were then characterized using optical microscope and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The copper alloy composite reinforced with 10% carbon fiber at 550°C shows highest hardness strength which is about 112.0 HV.