Effect of low-velocity impact damage to the mechanical properties of glass fiber/keratin filler sandwiched thermosets composite / Khairunnisa Liyana Abdul Hamid Ridza

This research study on the mechanical and physical properties of low-velocity damage keratin filled/glass fiber sandwiched composite. In this research, fiber filler used is the pulverised chicken feather which varies at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% by weight. The chicken feather composite then laminates with woven glass fiber at two types of laminate arrangement; single side laminates and both side laminates. The composite samples were cut to a required dimension for the mechanical and physical test. Optimum low-velocity impact energy was determined by applying 5% of maximum impact energy, damages toward the sample may not be seen by naked eyes. Morphology of low-velocity impacted sample was observed at the dented areas using metallurgical microscope. Both impacted and non-impacted samples were examine for its tensile properties. The impacted sample have lower tensile strength than the non-impacted sample. The presence of crack and void at dented area cause the impacted sample prone to failure at low tensile stress. As the chicken feather loading increase for both impacted and non-impacted, there are decreasing pattern of tensile strength. The incorporation of 10% to 30% chicken feather in the epoxy resulting several fiber pull out. At higher loading of 40% to 50% chicken feather, there are restriction for epoxy to penetrate between the chicken feathers. Thus failed to enhance load transfer and results in fiber fracture. Apart of the tensile properties, density and water absorption were also investigated. The water absorption was relying on attraction of water molecule to feather fiber. The more keratin filler incorporated in sample, the higher water being absorbed.