Utilisation of human hair wastage from local saloons as reinforcement for improving the mechanical properties of zucchini fibre reinforced polypropylene biocomposite

Abstract

ABSTRACT Solid waste management is an urgent issue in the current day and age, with the utilisation of refuse materials being essential to reduce environmental contamination. The usage of sustainable and biodegradable biocomposites from these wastages is becoming more widespread in research. This work incorporated human hair from local saloon to strengthen the mechanical performance of the zucchini fibre reinforced polypropylene biocomposite. Zucchini fibre was first reinforced in the polypropylene matrix through hot-pressing with various fibre loading levels (5,10,15, and 20 wt%). Subsequent to this, hybrid bio-composites were produced by merging human hair and zucchini fibre in the polypropylene matrix, with a ratio of 1:1. Measuring the mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural and impact of each composite revealed that hybrid bio-composites reinforced with both human hair and zucchini fibre outperformed those reinforced only with zucchini fibre in terms of mechanical properties at each fibre loading level. Scrutiny of SEM analysis revealed that the hybrid biocomposite reinforced with human hair and zucchini fibre had a better fibre distribution, thereby justifying the improved mechanical properties. The 10% fibre loaded hybrid biocomposite attained the optimal mechanical properties among all samples, showcasing an 11.35% increase in tensile strength compared to pure polypropylene. All these qualities make this composite ideal for use in automobile interiors.