Compounding and molding of polyethylene composites reinforced with keratin feather fiber

• Published in: Composites science and technology Vol. 65; no. 3; pp. 683 - 692
• Main Authors: Barone, Justin R., Schmidt, Walter F., Liebner, Christina F.E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2005; Elsevier
• Subjects: A. Fibres; A. Polymer–matrix composite (PMCs); A. Short-fiber composites; Applied sciences; B. Mechanical properties; B. Microstructure; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers; A. Short-fiber composites; A. Fibres; B. Microstructure; B. Mechanical properties; A. Polymer–matrix composite (PMCs); Short fiber; Molding; Mixing; High density ethylene polymer; Fiber reinforced material; Mechanical properties; Tensile property; Experimental study; Fabrication property relation; Composite material; Keratin; Natural fiber; Morphology; A. Polymer-matrix composite (PMCs); Animal protein; Feather; Fabrication structure relation; Animal waste
• ISSN: 0266-3538; 1879-1050
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2004.09.030

Polyethylene-based composites are prepared using keratin feather fiber obtained from chicken feathers. Keratin fibers are mixed into high-density polyethylene (HDPE) at 20 wt% using a Brabender mixing head. This is the compounding step and the variables studied are compounding time, temperature, speed and state of fiber dispersion. Following compounding, the composites are compression molded at various times and temperatures and this is the molding step. The effects of compounding and molding are studied using tensile testing and scanning electron microscopy. It is found that keratin feather fiber provides a stiffness increase to HDPE but lowers tensile breaking stress. The fibers are thermally stable for long periods of time up to 200 °C, but the best composite properties are found at processing temperatures of 205 °C, where the fibers are only stable for a few minutes.