Effect of fibre ratio and chemical treatment on thermo-mechanical and water absorption properties of bagasse and chicken feather reinforced hybrid polypropylene composites

Abstract

ABSTRACT Employing plant and animal-based biodegradable resources as reinforcement in polymeric composites has undeniable advantages on synthetic fibres, including low cost, renewability, biodegradability, low energy consumption, and easy and safe handling. Bagasse is agricultural waste, while chicken feathers can also be collected from poultry industry waste – both hold the potential to be used as fibre reinforcement in polymer matrix composite. The incorporation of both hybrid fibres together might have a synergistic effect on several properties. In the present research, composites at 5% fibre weight were prepared using a hot-press machine, altering the contribution of individual fibre, keeping bagasse and chicken feather at the ratio of 1:1, 3:1 and 1:3. Subsequently, tensile, flexural, impact, hardness and water absorption tests and thermo-gravimetric analysis were executed. Composite materials with a greater portion of chicken feathers (bagasse:chicken = 1:3) demonstrated superior mechanical properties, as well as better water absorption, thermal stability as compared to composite materials with a more significant proportion of bagasse fibre. To ensure excellent adhesion between polymer matrix and fibre, a significant factor for excellent reinforcement, chemical treatment with 5% NaOH was conducted on both fibres. Five per cent NaOH-treated hybrid fibre-reinforced composite outperformed untreated composite in impact strength, hardness, and water absorption.