Experimental investigation on mechanical properties of chicken keratin fiber reinforced isophthalic polymer matrix composite

Natural fibers such as hemp, flax, sisal, coir, hyacinth, kapok, feathers, kenaf etc. have been used as reinforcement material with polymer composite. Feathers are waste products and generated every year by poultry industry when birds are handled in dressing plants and the disposal of these feathers create environmental pollution. Chicken feather fibers were initially subjected to alkaline treatment in order to kill the micro organisms and clean before extracting the fibers. The fibers were then classified and segregated into two types namely barb and wool. The chicken feather fiber reinforced isophthalic polymer matrix composite was fabricated using hand layup technique by varying the fiber content of 5, 10 and 15 wt%. The samples of composite materials were then subjected to testing of mechanical properties such as tensile, compression, flexural, impact and hardness as per ASTM standards. An increase in mechanical properties were found up to the fiber content of 10 wt% in the chicken fiber reinforced polymer matrix composite material and the addition of fiber decreased the strength due to weaker bonding between resin and fiber content. The barb feather fiber reinforced polymer composite have better mechanical property due to presence of central core compared with wool and non treated fiber composites.