Abstract

The cow hair fibre (CHF)-unsaturated polyester resin reinforced composites and chicken feather fibre(CFF)-unsaturated polyester resin were prepared by hand-lay-up technique and the effect of chemical treatment on the mechanical properties was studied in this research. The chicken feather and cow hair fibres were collected from local poultries and leather manufacturing laboratory. This unusable animal waste were chosen for this research work to consider their reinforcement property and the reduction of environmental pollution. The animal fibres were washed and dried, cut and divided into two portions; one portion was treated with aqueous solution of NaOH while the other portion was untreated. The chemically treated and untreated both portions of fibres were then used to unsaturated polyester resin at 2, 5, 7, 10, 12 and 15 fibre loading respectively. The composites were characterized by tensile and bending properties, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Thermo Gravimetric Analysis. Obtained all the results revealed best outcomes and significant enhancement in the properties of the composites with the optimum combination by 5 wt% treated cow hair fibre.