EVALUATION OF ABRASION RESISTANCE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF KERATIN-BASED POLYESTER COMPOSITES

Аннотация

INTRODUCTION The quest for sustainable and high-performance Keratin is a fibrous protein known for its strength materials has led to increased interest in and resilience, making it an attractive component composites that combine natural fibers with for reinforcing polymers. Polyester, a widely used synthetic polymers. Keratin-based polyester synthetic polymer, provides durability and composites represent a novel class of materials structural integrity to composites. When that integrate the inherent properties of keratin— combined, these materials can potentially enhance a biopolymer found in feathers, hair, and nails— each other’s properties, resulting in composites with the versatility and durability of polyester. with improved mechanical performance and These composites offer a promising solution for abrasion resistance. various applications where both mechanical Understanding the abrasion resistance and performance and environmental sustainability are mechanical properties of keratin-based polyester desired. composites is crucial for evaluating their suitability for practical applications. Abrasion resistance is a https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajet 22 THE USA JOURNALS THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (ISSN – 2689-0984) VOLUME 06 ISSUE08 key factor for materials exposed to wear and tear, reported. To evaluate the impact resistance, such as textiles and industrial components. Charpy impact tests were conducted following Mechanical properties, including tensile strength, ASTM D256 standards. Composite samples were elongation at break, and modulus, determine the notched and subjected to impact forces to measure material's load-bearing capacity and flexibility. their impact toughness. This study aims to evaluate the abrasion resistance Abrasion resistance of the composites was and mechanical properties of keratin-based assessed using a Taber Abraser (e.g., Taber 1700). polyester composites to assess their potential for Samples were subjected to standard abrasion various industrial applications. By systematically conditions, with abrasive wheels rotating against incorporating keratin fibers into a polyester the surface of the composites for a specified matrix, this research seeks to determine the number of cycles. The wear loss was measured by optimal composition for enhanced performance. weighing the samples before and after testing, and The investigation includes detailed analysis of the results were used to determine the abrasion tensile strength, elongation at break, modulus, and resistance of each composite formulation. Post- wear resistance, providing insights into the trade- abrasion, the surface morphology of the offs and benefits of these composites. The results of composites was analyzed using Scanning Electron this study are expected to contribute to the Microscopy (SEM) to observe wear patterns, development of sustainable materials with surface damage, and fiber-matrix interactions. superior performance characteristics. The findings The microstructure of the composites was will provide valuable information for industries examined using Optical Microscopy (OM) and SEM seeking to utilize keratin-based composites in to assess the distribution of keratin fibers within applications where durability, strength, and the polyester matrix and the interaction between environmental impact are critical considerations. the fibers and resin. TGA was conducted to analyze METHOD the thermal stability and degradation characteristics of the keratin-based composites. Keratin fibers were extracted from [source, e.g., The samples were heated in a controlled chicken feathers, human hair] using a chemical environment, and the weight loss was recorded to extraction process involving [specific chemicals or understand the thermal behavior of the procedures]. The extracted keratin was cleaned, composites. FTIR spectroscopy was used to dried, and ground into a fine powder. Keratin identify any chemical interactions between keratin powder was mixed with polyester resin at varying and polyester. The spectra were analyzed to detect weight percentages (e.g., 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) shifts in functional groups and confirm the to prepare keratin-based polyester composites. successful incorporation of keratin into the The mixture was thoroughly blended and poured polyester matrix. into molds to form composite samples. The resin was cured according to the manufacturer’s Statistical analysis of the mechanical and abrasion instructions to ensure proper hardening and testing data was performed using software such as bonding of the keratin fibers within the polyester SPSS or MATLAB. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) matrix. was conducted to determine the significance of differences between composite formulations. Tensile tests were performed on the composite Regression analysis was used to model the samples using a universal testing machine (e.g., relationship between keratin content and Instron, Zwick/Roell).