Effect of Keratin Fibers on Setting and Hydration Characteristics of Portland Cement

Abstract

The study investigated the effect of keratin fibers from waste chicken feather on the hydration characteristics of Type I Portland cement. The effect of varying amount of fibers on cement setting time, thermal and spectroscopic characteristics was investigated. Cement mix containing keratin fibers up to 6% by mass of cement showed increased initial and final setting times by 46% and 54%, respectively, compared to unmodified control samples. Thermal and infrared spectroscopic analyses suggest that keratin fibers possibly blocked hydrations sites or prevented cement crystallization which retarded cement curing.

Keywords

• keratin
• chicken feather
• cement hydration
• setting time
• composites