A composite material is a combination of two or more different materials that are bonded together each of the various components has its identity in the composite. In composites, the discontinuous phase is called the reinforcement which is usually harder and stronger than the matrix which is called the continuous phase [5].
The matrix material keeps the reinforcements in the desired location and orientation. Reinforcement used to improve the overall mechanical properties of the matrix and give strength to composites of the matrix and give strength to composites. The constituents of composite materials have their property however when they are joined together, they give a mixture of properties that a singular can't have the capacity to give [10].
Fiber-reinforced composites are composed of fibers and a matrix. Fibers are the reinforcement and the main source of strength whereas matrix glues all the fibers together in shape and transfers stresses between the reinforcing fibers. These fiber-reinforced composites are a new area of the composite due to their easy availability, light weight, low cost and eco-friendly nature [9].
Human hair by nature is a fibrous material with good tensile properties. The primary component of the hair fiber is keratin which consists of proteins and long chains of amino acids [8].
The unique properties of human hair such as its unique chemical composition, slow degradation rate, high tensile strength, thermal insulation, elastic recovery, scaly surface, and light weight, have led to many diverse uses [6]. Chicken feathers contain 91% protein (keratin). keratin fibers are strictly nonabrasive, low density, insoluble in organic solvents, hydrophobic behavioral, warmth retention and also cost-effective [7].
Chicken feather, human hair and hairs of other birds and animals are commonly described as a waste product. Currently, available disposal methods such as burying and burning of these waste by-products are contributing to environmental pollution. Human hair is considered as waste material in most parts of the world including our country in Ethiopia, and problem found in municipal waste streams which cause enormous environmental problem.
Human hair is a material considered useless inmost societies and therefore is found in the municipal waste streams in almost all cities and towns of the world [6].
The hair is thrown away in nature where it slowly decomposes over several years, in the areas with high population density, it often accumulates in large amounts in the solid waste streams and chokes the drainage systems, posing a multifaceted problem.
Due to slow degradation, it stays in the dumps/waste streams for long occupying large volumes of space. Burning of human hair or the waste piles containing them a practice observed in many parts of the world produces foul odor and toxic gases such as ammonia, carbonyl sulphides, hydrogen sulphides, Sulphur dioxide, phenols, nitriles, pyrroles and pyridines [4].Open dumps of hair generate hair dust which causes discomfort to people near them and, if inhaled in large amounts, can result in several respiratory problems. The best way to address such problems is to develop systems which utilize the waste material as a resource. In addition to reducing waste, it contributes to the economy as a potential material resource.
Researcher Biswas et al (2018) on his study concludes that human hair is found to be abundance all over the globe and often considered as useless in most society. Therefore, these fibers mostly found in the municipal waste stream as the degradation time is slow it stays as a waste for a long time occupying a large volume of space.
Similarly, chicken feathers are deliberated as a waste product most of the poultry industry in the world. A large amount of waste feathers generated and disposed each year by poultry processing plants results in severe solid waste.
Bartels, T. (2003) studied that traditional disposal strategies of chicken feathers are difficult. however, these disposal methods are restricted or generate greenhouse gases that pose danger to the environment. Chicken feather are deliberated as an unwanted product from the poultry production. Large amount of waste feathers generated and disposed each year by the poultry processing plants results in severe solid waste trouble [2].
Environmental concerns study always appreciated to protect our earth from waste and to make it reuse in another form, especially as waste to usable material is a supportable idea in future.
Use of human hair and chicken feathers as matrix component to develop composite material leads to high specific strength and the large amount of waste utilization. It provides low cost output in high strength composite design application by mixing it with other reinforcing materials [1].
In this research work composite was developed using human hair & chicken feather fiber and analysis the mechanical and physical property of the developed composite sample.