Valorisation of chicken feather fibres in developing poly (vinyl chloride) biocomposites

Abstract The aim of this paper is the valorisation of fibres obtained from chicken feathers in developing new poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) biocomposites. Feather fibres were first characterized by thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Then, semi-rigid and flexible PVC biocomposites were prepared by varying the fibre (5, 10 and 15 wt %) and plasticizer (15, 30, 45, 60 wt %) contents. The density, mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of the composites were investigated. The water absorption was determined at two temperatures (23 and 60°C). The results showed the influence of fibre and plasticizer contents on the considered properties.