Physico-Mechanical Properties of Treated Chicken Feather–Reinforced Unsaturated Polyester Resin Based Composites

The influence of chemical treatment on the mechanical properties of treated chicken feather fibre-reinforced unsaturated polyester resin (TCFF-UPR) composites was studied in this research. Redundant portions of chicken from poultry farms are comprehensively contaminating the environment. To minimize environmental pollution, these redundant portions need to use for the production of other materials. In this study, we used chicken feather for the preparation of useful composites combining with unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) to reduce environmental pollution. The composites were prepared successfully by conventional hand lay up technique using modified chicken feather as the reinforcing phase of composites. For preparing composites different percentages (2, 5, 7, 10, 12 and 15% by weight) of fibre were used. Attained tensile test results expressed significant enhancement in the tensile properties of composites, with the optimum combination of tensile strength presented by 5 wt% , tensile modulus presented by 10 wt% untreated chicken feather bio-fibre reinforcement and bending strength by 5 wt% chicken feather bio-fibre reinforcement.