Effect of Human Hair on Mechanical Properties of Jute and BNH Fiber Reinforced Hybrid Polyester Composites

Abstract

Natural fiber-reinforced two hybrid composites: “Jute and betel nut husk (BNH)” and “Human hair, Jute and BNH,” are fabricated by the hand lay-up method using 50:50 and 33.33:33.33:33.33 fiber ratio by weight, respectively. The 3 to 4 mm long fibers and 20% fiber loading by volume are used to fabricate the composites. The mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural, impact strength, and hardness of composites are evaluated by tests as per ASTM standards and compared. This study revealed that human hair-embedded (with hair – WH) composite is remarkably stronger than non-embedded ones (without hair – WoH). In human hair-embedded (WH) composites, the tensile, flexural, and impact strength are found more than 75% higher, and the hardness is found 19% higher than non-embedded ones (WoH). The bonding between fibers and matrix, voids, microcracks, and fracture of the composites are also investigated by SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy). It revealed that human hair-embedded composites have stronger bonding, fewer voids and microcracks, and outstanding energy absorption capacity, strength, and hardness. This study expands the scope of human hair to strengthen natural fiber-reinforced composites as a low-cost constituent and application of human hair-embedded composites in different engineering fields, ultimately reducing environmental pollution and greenhouse effects.

Keywords

• human hair
• jute fiber
• betel nut husk fiber
• hybrid composite
• scanning electron microscopy