EVALUATION OF POROSITY PERCENTAGE IN CHICKEN

FEATHER FIBER FILLED EPOXY BASED HYBRID

BIOCOMPOSITES

Gagan Bansal1, Dhiraj Kumar2, Hritik Chauhan3, Ayush Singh Chauhan4

1
Assistant Professor, Graphic Era University, Dehradun
2, 3, 4
Graduate Scholar, Graphic Era University, Dehradun
Corresponding Author Email: gaganbansal12345@gmail.com
gaganbansal@geu.ac.in

Abstract

In the current experimentation work, characterization of the biocomposites developed by reinforcing Chicken
Feather Fiber in Epoxy Resin (CY-230) and Hardener (HY-951) are performed. Varying weight percentages of CFF
is inculcated in the Epoxy matrix (0% to 7%) and the composites are than diagnosed for various mechanical,
physical and thermal properties. Here the weight density, water absorption and thickness swelling characterization
are been outlined to calculate the void percentage in the prepared biocomposite samples. The trend charted is
discussed and the cause for the trend is later identified based on the WA and TS Data.

Keywords: Characterization, Epoxy Resin, Composites, Chicken Feather Fiber, Materials.

1. Introduction
Composite materials are engineering materials made from two or more constituent materials which have
significantly different physical or chemical properties and remain separate and distinct on a macroscopic level
within the finished structure. There are two categories of constituent materials: matrix and reinforcement. At least
one portion of each type is required. In the current research, CFF is used as reinforcing material and Epoxy Resin
(CY-230) is used as matrix. The idea of using CFF was reviewed by Bansal et al (2016) [1] which was very effective
in determining the applications of using CFF in various composites casting. CFF has very high level of compatibility
as a fiber reinforcing agent [2]. The effect of void generation at varying weight percentage can be diagnosed by
thermal tests also. Like flame retardation test performed by Bansal and Singh (2016) [3].

2. Materials Used
From development of the mould till the final casting various materials were used in the process but here we are just
focusing on the materials required for mixing in development of casting. Some of the materials are listed below.

2.1 Epoxy Resin (CY-230)

Epoxy resin was discovered in 1909 by Prileschajew (May, 1987) [4]. Ciba-Geigy Ltd. in 1946 first introduced
epoxy resins. Epoxy resins are the thermoset plastic resin which has wide application in the polymer composite
domain[5]. These resins are synthesized by condensation of bisphenol-A. Epoxy resin CY-230 has negligible
shrinkage, excellent resistance to chemical attack, nonappearance of volatiles on curing, outstanding electrical
insulating properties. Chemical structure of Bisphenol A based epoxy resin is shown in figure 1.

Density =1150kg/m3 [when mixed with 10wt% (HY-951) hardener]

Figure 1. Chemical structure of Bisphenol-A based epoxy resin [6].

2.2 Hardener (HY-951)

Hardener HY-951 is a yellowish green transparent liquid. Hardener (HY-951) with product name ARADUR
is manufactured by Petro Araldite Pvt. Ltd., Manali, Chennai. Three most common types of hardener are:

1) Aliphatic Amines
2) Aromatic Amines
3) Acids and Anhydrides.

The triethylenetetraamine (TETA) used here is the aliphatic amine group of hardener. It is used as a curing
agent for CY-230 epoxy resin matrix. In the present investigation 10 % wt/wt of hardener has been used in all
material developed. The effect of wt% of hardener on the mechanical properties is shown in figure 2. The weight
percentage of hardener used in the present investigation is as per the suggestion and recommendation of Singh and
Gope., 2010 [7].

Figure 2. Effect of wt% of hardener (HY-951) on mechanical properties [7]

2.3 Chicken Feather Fiber (CFF)

Chicken Feathers are the waste product from the processing of chickens for food. Chicken feather initiates
from free renewable livestock biowaste [8]. CFF can be considered as a waste by product that is serious causal to
environmental pollution due to the disposal problems. Basically there are two main feather disposal methods that
is, a burning and burying. But both of them have negative effect on the environment. Chicken feather is
approximately 91% keratin, 8% water and 1% lipids by mass [9]. The typical structure of chicken feather is shown
in figure 3.

Figure 3. A typical Chicken feather fiber[10]

3. Results

3.1 Weight Density and Volume Void Fraction

Experimental and theoretical Weight density of various composition of CFF reinforced composite was evaluated as
listed in Table 1. Density can be defined as an intensive property of the material which is termed as the ratio of
mass of the body to the volume of the body.
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐵𝑜𝑑𝑦
I.e. 𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 = 𝑉𝑂𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐵𝑜𝑑𝑦
… (1)

Its SI unit is kg/m3

It is denoted by the symbol “ρ” (pronounced as roh)

Through the existing literature reviews it was noticed that the approximate density of Epoxy resin (CY-
230) with hardener (HY-951) is 1150kg/m3 and Chicken feather is 800kg/m3.
 The theoretical density of composite samples in terms of weight fraction can be obtained easily by the
following equations suggested by Agarwal and Broutman., 1990 [11].

1
 ct  (2)
 Wf   Wm 
    
 f   m 
where, W and ρ symbolizes the weight fraction and the density respectively. The suffix ct, , f, and m stands
for the composite, fiber and matrix respectively.

The actual/experimental density (ρce) of the composite material, however, can be firmed experimentally by
the uncomplicated toluene immersion technique. The volume fraction of voids (V v) for CFF filled composite is
calculated by the help of the subsequent equations 1-3

 ct -  ce
V  (3)
 ct

Table. 1

Experimental Density Theoretical Volume Void

Composition
(kg/m3) Density (kg/m3) Fraction (%)

CFF 0 1132.08 1150 1.56

CFF 1 1116.82 1144.991 2.46

CFF 2 1111.11 1140.025 2.54

CFF 3 1100.00 1135.102 3.09

CFF 4 1089.29 1130.221 3.62

CFF 5 1089.12 1125.382 3.22

CFF 6 1084.75 1120.585 3.20

CFF 7 1078.51 1115.828 3.34

 Experimental Density Theortical Density

Density of composite (kg/m3)

1170.00

1150.00

1130.00

1110.00

1090.00

1070.00
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
wt% of Chicken Feather Fiber

Figure 4: Effect of wt% of CFF on density of composite

Experiments showed that the neat epoxy has the weight density of 1132.08 kg/m3 i.e. 1.56% less than the theoretical
density (1150 kg/m3). From figure 4 it can be seen that the addition of CFF in epoxy resin decreases the weight
density of the prepared composite as chicken feather is lighter in weight (density = 800 kg/m3 approx.) as compared
to pure epoxy. Also the decrease of 3.79% in density is recorded from 0 (i.e. 1132.08 kg/m3) to 5 wt% (i.e. 10893.12
kg/m3) of CFF in fabricated composite. The density at 7 wt% of CFF in epoxy resin is 1078.51 kg/m3. Almost 5.19%
decrease in density was recorded during the total composites development from 0 to 7 wt% of CFF. The main reason
for the linear decrease in the density was due to commutatively adding of CFF in epoxy that decreases the specific
weight of the prepared composite.

4 3.62
3.34
Volume void fraction of Composite

3.5 3.22 3.2

3.09
3
2.46 2.54
2.5

2
1.56
1.5

0.5

0
CFF 0 CFF 1 CFF 2 CFF 3 CFF 4 CFF 5 CFF 6 CFF 7
Weight Percentage of CFF

Figure 5. Variation in Volume void fraction with increasing weight percentage of CFF in epoxy
matrix.
After the experimentation and calculation of Volume void fraction for various wt% of CFF in epoxy resin based
composites the trend obtained is shown in figure 5. The results shows that the volume void % in the prepared
samples increases considerably till 4% CFF composition. Later it becomes lower and then gets almost constant. The
movement of properties was predicted to be due to the increase in fiber % and proper mixing at 4 to 5 wt% of CFF.

3.2 Water Absorption and Thickness Swelling Test

The water absorption and thickness swelling test helps us to diagnose the moisture socking intensity of the
composite developed. It is necessary to diagnose the rigidity, molecular compactness, adhesion between the matrix
and the particles (fiber or particulate) in composite material and the surface strength of the material. The greater is
the water absorption capacity of the material the more is the amount of pores/voids in the material and lesser is the
attraction bonding between the combining molecules and therefore lesser is the strength of the material (Bansal et
al. 2017) [12].

Water absorption, WA is calculated by:

(𝑊2 −𝑊1 )
𝑊𝐴(%) = ∗ 100 … (4)
𝑊1

W1 = initial weight of specimen, gm.

W2 = specimen weight after N hours of water soaking, gm.

Similarly,

Thickness Swelling, TS is calculated by:

(𝑇2 −𝑇1 )
𝑇𝑆(%) = 𝑇1
∗ 100 … (5)

T1= Initial thickness of specimen, mm.

T2= Specimen thickness after N hours of water socking, mm.

From equation 4 and 5 we obtain the percentage of water absorption and thickness swelling at various wt% of CFF
in epoxy resin based composites.

2
Water Absorption (%)

1.5

1
CFF 0 CFF 1 CFF 2
0.5 CFF 3 CFF 4 CFF 5
CFF 6 CFF 7
0
0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48
Time Duration (in hours)

Figure 6. Variation in water absorption % with time for CFF filled composites
 1.6 1.49 1.45
1.42 1.37 1.33

Maximum % of Water
1.4 1.25
1.2
1.01
Absorption
1
0.77
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
CFF 0 CFF 1 CFF 2 CFF 3 CFF 4 CFF 5 CFF 6 CFF 7
wt% of Chicken Feather Fiber

Figure 7. Effect of wt% of CFF on maximum water absorption

After the continuous progression for two days, the data recorded outlined the curve shown in figure 6 and figure 7.
It highlights the results for water absorption with varying wt% of CFF. The results revealed that the water absorption
was rising in the beginning with the increasing CFF wt% till 4% of CFF and then decreases considerably. The
percentage of water absorption was maximum (i.e. 1.49%) at 4 wt% CFF. The rise in weight of the sample may be
due to the filling of water in the free space and void that occurs due to increase in large amount of feather in the
matrix. Also the water soaking takes place at the gap between the fiber and the matrix or between the randomly
oriented fibers. The sudden declination of water absorption % at 5 wt% of CFF may be because of the improved
compactness and fiber matrix bonding.

0.7
Thickness Swelling (%)

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3
CFF 0 CFF 1
0.2 CFF 2 CFF 3
CFF 4 CFF 5
0.1 CFF 6 CFF 7

0
0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48
Time duration (in hours)

Figure 8. Variation in thickness swelling % with time for CFF filled composites
 0.7 0.66

Maximum % of Thickness Swelling

0.6
0.6 0.54 0.55
0.52
0.47 0.49
0.5 0.45

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
CFF 0 CFF 1 CFF 2 CFF 3 CFF 4 CFF 5 CFF 6 CFF 7
wt% of Chicken Feather Fiber

Figure 9. Effect of wt% of CFF on maximum thickness swelling

Along with water absorption the variation in thickness of the samples were also recorded for 48 hours in the
gap of 6 hours duration. The results obtained from the recorded data are pictured graphically in figure 8 and
figure 9. Figure 8 and 9 shows the thickness swelling characteristics of CFF based composite which depicts
that the percentage of thickness swelling increases significantly with the increasing % of CFF in epoxy based
composite. After 48 hours, it is 0.45% for epoxy and 0.66% for 7 wt% CFF filled composite. Th e rise in
thickness can be due to the soaking of water by the composite mixture and water filling in the voids present in
the sample.

Therefore, the results obtained from water absorption and thickness swelling also revealed the validation to
volume void fraction.

4. Conclusion
From the complete experimentation, it can be finally concluded that the percentage of porosity or the volume
void fraction is directly linked with the thickness swelling and water absorption characteristic of the composite.
The water absorption in the material is basically due to the void present in the material while casting. Also in
the current research 5wt% of CFF in CY-230 epoxy resin and 10 wt% HY-951 hardener can be considered as
the optimum composition for developing hybrid bio composites. Also the voids can be reduced by casting
hybrid composite through inclusion of micro or nano sized compatible particulate material.

Acknowledgement

The author feels privileged to thanks Graphic Era University and G. B. Pant University of Agric ulture and
technology for providing all sorts of amenities and support during the entire project.

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