Cure characteristics and mechanical properties of biocomposites of natural rubber reinforced with chicken feather fibre: Effect of fibre loading, alkali treatment, bonding and vulcanizing systems

Chicken feather fibre (CF) was used as reinforcing agent in Natural rubber (NR). Raw chicken feather fibre (RCF) and alkali treated (ACF) fibres were used as fillers; dicumyl peroxide and sulphur were used as curing systems in the preparation of NR composites. Composites with a tri component bonding system consisting of hexamethylene tetramine, resorcinol and nano silica were also prepared. The influence of fibre loading, alkali treatment, bonding agent and curing systems on the mechanical properties of composites were analyzed. Mechanical Properties were found to be first increased with the fibre loading and then decreased having a maximum value at 25phr fibre loading. The swelling studies conducted in toluene gives an additional support to the observations. The attachment of CF in the NR matrix was confirmed from FTIR and UV-vis spectroscopic studies through the shift and broadness of the absorption peak as compared with the pure NR. The morphological aspect of the CF/NR composites was evaluated by SEM which showed a good adhesion of fibres with the matrix.