Kinetics of moisture sorption and improved tribological performance of keratinous fiber-reinforced ortho-phthalic polyester biocomposites

Abstract

This paper presents the influence of randomly oriented bovine hair fibres on the kinetics of moisture sorption and abrasive wear resistance of unsaturated polyester. The investigated properties were studied dependent on predetermined volume fractions of hair fibres in polyester matrix. Test samples were developed according to appropriate test standards and subjected to preferred characterizations. It was found that a linear relationship exists between water absorption and fibre volume fraction of biocomposites. The biocomposites exhibited Non-Fickian, Case II, and Super Case II Kinetics in correlation with diffusion mechanisms. Also, improved resistance to abrasion of the biocomposites was independent of fibre volume fraction. Overall, the biocomposites evinced better anti-abrasion properties than the monolithic polymer and carbon was revealed as the principal element in the hair fibre.

Keywords

• biological materials
• water transport phenomenon
• polymer tribology
• ecological welfare
• waste recycling technology