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

• Published in: Journal of natural fibers 2019-07, Vol.16 (5), p.744-754
• Main Authors: Agbeboh, N. I, OlaJide, J. L, Oladele, I. O, Babarinsa, S. O
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abrasion; Abrasion resistance; Abrasive wear; Biological materials; Biomedical materials; Composite materials; Ecological welfare; Fiber reinforced materials; Fiber volume fraction; Fibers; Hair; Kinetics; Moisture resistance; Polyesters; Polymer tribology; Sorption; Tribology; Waste recycling technology; Water absorption; Water transport phenomenon; Wear resistance; 废物回收利用技术; 生态福利; 生物材料; 聚合物摩擦学; 输水现象
• ISSN: 1544-0478; 1544-046X
• DOI: 10.1080/15440478.2018.1434849

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.