Experimental investigation of chicken feather fiber and crumb rubber reformed epoxy resin hybrid composite: Mechanical and microstructural characterization

Abstract

In this experimental investigation, the mechanical characterization and microstructure study of chicken feather fiber (CFF) and crumb rubber filled epoxy resin hybrid composite has been done. The surface of the fibers was treated with sodium hydroxide to improve the interphase bonding. Chicken feathers were taken in different weight percentages of 1, 3, 5 and 7. A composite was fabricated with epoxy resin using the hand lay-up technique. After conducting various mechanical tests in accordance with the ASTM standards, it was observed that 5 wt% of CFF recorded the optimum results. Hybrid composites were then fabricated with 5 wt% CFF and varying weight percentages of crumb rubber, i.e. 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5. On the basis of mechanical testing conducted on hybrid composite, tensile strength, flexural strength and impact strength showed a significant improvement. The justification of trend was given through the microstructural tests, which were a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction analysis. It was concluded that 1 wt% of crumb rubber with 5 wt% CFF hybrid composites showed the optimum results amongst various combinations. Thus, properties showed significant improvement in the case of hybrid composite as compared to pure fiber-based composite.