Experimental Analysis on Carbon Residuum Transformed Epoxy Resin: Chicken Feather Fiber Hybrid Composite

In this research article, the mechanical analysis and microstructure investigation of chicken feather fiber with carbon residuum (CR) (obtained from crumb rubber) fused with epoxy resin hybrid composite has been done. The fibers surface was alkali treated with caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) to improve the interfacial bonding with matrix and reinforcement. Herein, the composites were fabricated using the hand lay-up technique. Chicken feathers in form of reinforcing fibers were taken in various weight percentages of 1, 3, 5, and 7. Various mechanical tests were performed in accordance with the ASTM standards, and it was perceived that the 5 weight percentage of chicken feathers recorded the optimum impact test results. Finally, the hybrid composites were fabricated with this weight percentage of feathers and varying weight percentages (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5) of CR. Mechanical testing was then conducted on these hybrid composites and determined that the tensile strength, flexural strength and impact strength showed a substantial enhancement. The justification of this enhancement was provided through the microstructural tests that includes the scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. Best results were forecasted for 5 wt% chicken feather and 1 wt% of CR hybrid composites amongst various combinations tried. Thus, noteworthy improvement in case of hybrid composite was seen as compared with neat epoxy. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:2690-2699, 2019. (c) 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers