Thermal Expansivity of Chicken Feather Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites

Thermal expansivity of chicken feather fibers (CFFs) was studied using thermomechanical analysis for composite applications. CFFs have negative coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) values in the axial direction at different temperature due to its semicrystalline structure. CFFs have a positive CTE value in the radial direction. The CTE values of epoxy/CFF composites can be predicted by the rule of mixing. CTE values of epoxy/CFF composites in the in-plane direction at various fiber content and temperature have been fully studied and the results can be used in composite design. We can use CFFs in composite materials to control the overall CTE of the composites to reduce the CTE mismatch between the composites and other components. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 128:997-1003, 2013