Novel Use of Waste Chicken Feather Fiber for making Prototype Non-woven Mats and their Evaluation

Abstract

Chicken feather is a waste product that remains after processing the chicken to obtain meat. A series of non-woven mats were made by adding several levels of chicken feather fiber (CFF) to determine the effect of CFF on mat properties. The fractions of CFF used ranged between 10 and 60% and pre-vulcanized latex was used as a binder. The mats were tested for tensile strength, resistance to tear and aging behavior. It was found that the tensile and tear strengths were similar to the latex adhesive strength. Water absorbency and thermal conductivity were also determined. These mats can be used as soil erosion mats, nursery bags, shoe insoles, thermal and acoustic insulators, etc.