ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF WALL PANELS PRODUCED FROM WASTE PAPERS AND CHICKEN FEATHER (DOWN) FIBRES

Abstract

A great number of wastes are generated globally. Traditional disposal strategies have a detrimental effect on the environment as they are often burned in incineration plants or buried in landfills, adding to CO2 emissions and can be potentially carcinogenic. In a bid to repurpose waste products and ultimately reducing pollution, this study explores the use of waste paper and chicken feather fibres (CFF) in the production of wall panels. Wall panels are functional as well as decorative, providing insulation and soundproofing with some measure of durability and ease of replaceability. Waste papers (WP) were reduced into a slurry and mixed with varying ratios (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) of chicken feather fibres and formed into decorative panels. The panels were tested for physical and mechanical strength. The results obtained show medium impact and mechanical resistance with the optimum values obtained at 5% CFF inclusion while the optimum results for water absorption and thickness swelling were obtained 15%CFF. There was a gradual decrease in the thermal conductivity of the wall panels with increasing CFF. SCIREA Journal of Environment