Physical and Thermal Characterization of Chicken Feather Fiber and Crumb Rubber Reformed Epoxy Resin Hybrid Composite

In this experimental investigation, the authors have analyzed the physical and thermal behavior of a chicken feather fiber (CFF) and crumb rubber (CR)-filled epoxy hybrid composite. Chicken feathers were treated with sodium hydroxide to improve their interfacial bonding and were taken in different weight percentages of 1, 3, 5, and 7. A fabricated composite with epoxy resin as the host polymer matrix was prepared using the hand layup technique. These composites with 5 wt. % of CFF and varying weight percentages of CR, e. g., 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5, were analyzed. Results showed that for the hybrid composition, the density and percentage of water absorption increased. Thermal analysis predicted the stability of the hybrid composite, and it was concluded that a composite with 1 wt. % of CR and 5 wt. % of CFF showed the optimum results amongst all other combinations. Moreover, the properties showed significant improvement in the case of the hybrid composite as compared to the pure fiber-based composite.