Title: Investigation of chicken feather fibre/poly-lactic acid reinforced composites prepared using the sandwich method

Authors: Adil Khan; Amarish Badgujar; Mohamed Rafik Noor Mohamed Qureshi

Addresses: School of Engineering and Technology, Navrachana University, Vadodara 391410, Gujarat, India ' School of Engineering and Technology, Navrachana University, Vadodara 391410, Gujarat, India ' Industrial Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia

Abstract: Natural fibres from animals, such as chicken feather fibre (CFF), exhibit good adhesion and high wettability, required to have strong composite materials. This research article utilises white chicken feathers to reinforce poly-lactic acid (PLA) for structural applications. First, the avian fibres are trimmed from chicken feathers. Then, the composite samples are prepared at a fibre ratio of 5 wt% CFF with PLA. The sandwich and compression moulding methods are used to create the biocomposites. CFF is sandwiched between 3D printed PLA strips before hot compression moulding. The composite samples are characterised to determine their tensile and flexural strength, water absorption, and hardness following ASTM D3034, ASTM D790, ASTM D570, and ASTM D2583-95 standards. The results of the tests indicate that the addition of CFF to PLA enhances the mechanical properties compared to pure PLA. Therefore, the study will assist in developing biocomposites using waste-chicken feathers.

Keywords: chicken feather fibre; CFF; poly-lactic acid; PLA; biocomposites; sandwich method; compression moulding.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMATEI.2023.133371

International Journal of Materials Engineering Innovation, 2023 Vol.14 No.3, pp.213 - 225

Received: 02 May 2022
Accepted: 04 Jun 2022
Published online: 14 Sep 2023 *

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