DOI:
AUTHOR(S)
Rakib Hasan, Raihan Zaman, Mahbub Hasan
ABSTRACT
Natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites (NFRPCs) have emerged as sustainable alternatives to synthetic composites, offering environmental compatibility, mechanical reliability, and economic viability. Their biodegradability, low density, and renewable origin render them attractive for lightweight applications under increasing ecological awareness. In this study, hybrid composites were developed by reinforcing a polypropylene matrix with corn fibre and peacock feather barbs, both derived from bio-waste. Fibre loadings of 0, 5, 10, and 15 wt.% were prepared with a fixed 1:1 corn-to-feather ratio. Additionally, 5 wt.% composites with 3:1 and 1:3 ratios were fabricated to evaluate the influence of fibre proportion. Fabrication was carried out by compression moulding using a hot press. Mechanical, thermal, and moisture-related properties were investigated through tensile, flexural, impact, hardness, thermogravimetric (TGA), and water absorption analyses. Results indicated that tensile strength decreased marginally with fibre loading, whereas flexural strength, tensile modulus, impact resistance, and hardness attained maximum values at 5 wt.% before declining. The 1:3 ratio composite at 5 wt.% exhibited superior overall performance. Water absorption increased with fibre content, with the 3:1 ratio showing the highest uptake due to the higher cellulose content of corn fibres. TGA confirmed thermal stability up to 200 °C, supporting their suitability for low-to-moderate temperature applications.
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