VISVESVARAYA TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

“JNANA SANGAMA”, BELAGAVI – 590 018

PROJECT (21MEP76)
On

“FABRICATION & TESTING OF FRP MATERIAL

USING GLASS FIBER AND CHICKEN FEATHER”
Submitted by:
CHANDAN S 1SP22ME401
GAGANDEV K N 1SP22ME402
HARSHIT SINGH J 1SP22ME403
YATHISH K 1SP22ME414

Under the Guidance of

Mr. RAMESH BUJARI
Associate professor
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering S.E.A.C.E.T
K.R. PURAM, BANGALORE-560049

S.E.A. COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
K.R. PURAM, BANGALORE-560049
 S.E.A. COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
[Affiliated to VTU, Belgaum, Approved by AICTE, New Delhi]
K.R. PURAM, BANGALORE-560049
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

CERTIFICATE
This is certified that the project work entitled “FABRICATION & TESTING OF
FRP MATERIAL USING GLASS FIBER AND CHICKEN FEATHER” is a bonafide
work carried out by CHANDAN S (1SP22ME401), GAGANDEV K N (1SP22ME402),
HARSHIT SINGH J (1SP22ME403), YATHISH K (1SP22ME414), in partial
fulfilment of requirements for the award of BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING in
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING of the Visvesvaraya technological university,
Belagavi during the year 2024. The report has been approved as it satisfied the academic
requirements with respect to project work prescribed by the VTU.

Signature of Guide Signature of HOD Signature of Principal

Mr. Ramesh Bujari Dr. Suresh P Yadav Dr. Venkata Narayana
Associate Professor Head of the Dept. Principal
Dept. of Mechanical Engg Dept. of Mechanical Engg Dept. of Mechanical Engg
S.E.A.C.E.T, S.E.A.C.E.T, S.E.A.C.E.T,
Bangalore. Bangalore. Bangalore.
 DECLARATION

We hereby declare that the dissertation work entitled “FABRICATION &

TESTING OF FRP MATERIAL USING GLASS FIBER AND CHICKEN
FEATHER” is the original work carried by us, in the 7th semester B.E curriculum in
Mechanical Engineering at S.E.A. COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND
TECHNOLOGY.
These results presented in this dissertation have not been submitted to any other
University/ Institution for the award of degree or diploma.

Signature of the Student

1.
2.
3.
4

Date:
Place: BANGALORE
 ABSTRACT

Now-a-days, the natural fibres from renewable natural resources provide the ability
to act as reinforcing polymers that differ from the use of glass, carbon and other man-made
fibres. Among various fibres, jute is most widely used natural fibre due to its advantages
like easy availability, low density, low production cost and satisfactory mechanical
properties. For the composite material, its mechanical performance depends on many
factors such as fibre content, shape, type, length etc. This research project was conducted
to study the effect of fibre loading and adaptation to the physical and mechanical behaviour
of jute / glass fibre reinforced epoxy-based hybrid. A hybrid compound is a combination
of two or more types of fibre in which one type of fibre measures the deficiency of another
fibre. The feathers of the chicken feathers (CFFs) have potential uses in a low-weight
combination. We investigated the physical properties of epoxy polymer compounds
reinforced with CFF and glass fibres. CFF or hybrid fibre (glass fibre and CFFs) combined
reduce the size by 30 to 40 percent compared to reinforced glass compounds. The CFF
composites has a storage modulus of about 3.5 GPa and a flexural strength of about 50 to
80 MPa. The hybrid fibre composite has better mechanical properties than CFF composites
while having increased bio-based content. Composites of various compositions with three
different fibre percentages are fabricated using simple hand lay-up technique. It has been
observed that there is a significant effect of fibre loading and orientation on the performance
of chicken feather reinforced epoxy-based composites. The developed composites undergo
different kinds of tests. The result shows the construction of a hybrid with good strength
and durability compared to the natural compounds combine
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Before introducing our project work, we would like to thank you the people without
whom the success of this project would have been only a dream.

We express our deep sense of gratitude and indebtedness to Mr. Ramesh Bujari
sir, Associate professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, for his valuable guidance,
continuous assistance and critical appraisal of the project.

We express our sincere thanks to Dr Suresh P Yadav sir, professor and HOD,
Department of Mechanical Engineering, for providing the facilities required for the
completion of this project.

It is with great pleasure, we extend our gratitude and thanks to Dr. Venkata
Narayana sir, Principal, S.E.A. COLLEGE OG ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY,
for his encouragement throughout the project.

We also thank all our friends whole heartedly who have rendered their help,
motivation and support to accomplish this report.

CHANDAN S 1SP22ME401
GAGANDEV K N 1SP22ME402
HARSHIT SINGH J 1SP22ME403
YATHISH K 1SP22ME414
Table of Contents
ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................................... I
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ..................................................................................................... II
1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Composite Material .................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Applications ................................................................................................................ 3

2. LITERATURE SURVEY ....................................................................................................... 4

3. OBJECTIVES OF THE WORK ............................................................................................. 6

4. METHODOLOGY ADOPTED ............................................................................................. 7

5. MATERIALS AND FABRICATION OF COMPOSITE ............................................................ 8

5.1 Chicken feather .......................................................................................................... 8

5.2 Araldite Epoxy ............................................................................................................ 9

5.3 Glass fibre-reinforced polymer composites ............................................................... 9

5.3.1 Applications................................................................................................... 11

5.4 Fabrication of composites ....................................................................................... 12

6. TEST RESULTS................................................................................................................. 16

6.1 Tests conducted ....................................................................................................... 16

6.1.1 Tensile test .................................................................................................... 17

6.1.2 Flexural test................................................................................................... 20

6.1.3 Shore ‘D’ test................................................................................................. 23

COSTING ......................................................................................................................... 25

CONCLUSION .................................................................................................................. 26

BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................... 27
List of Figures
Figure 1: Major polymer matrix composite fabrication processes...................................... 2
Figure 2: Hand-layup method .............................................................................................. 7
Figure 3: Classification and physical properties of various glass fibres. ............................ 10
Figure 4: Collected chicken feather ................................................................................... 12
Figure 5: Washing and cleaning chicken feathers ............................................................. 12
Figure 6: Chicken feather drying. ....................................................................................... 12
Figure 7: Grinded chicken feathers .................................................................................... 13
Figure 8: Grinded chicken feather with cotton like texture .............................................. 13
Figure 9: Glass fiber sheet.................................................................................................. 13
Figure 10: First layer of glass fiber ..................................................................................... 14
Figure 11: Compressing the first layer and removing the air bubbles. ............................. 14
Figure 12: Chicken feather laminate layer.. ....................................................................... 10
Figure 13: Conduting tensile test ....................................................................................... 17
Figure 14: Conducting flexural test. ................................................................................... 20
Figure 15: Conducting shore ‘D’ test.. ............................................................................... 23
Figure 16: Shore hardness scale… ...................................................................................... 24

List of Tables
Table 1: Tensile test data ................................................................................................... 18
Table 2: Flecural test data .................................................................................................. 21
Table 3: Shore ‘D’ hardness test data. ............................................................................... 24
Table 4: Cost of the work. .................................................................................................. 25

List of Graphs
Graph 1: Tensile test graph ................................................................................................ 18
Graph 2: Flecural test graph .............................................................................................. 21
FABRICATION & TESTING OF FRP MATERIAL USING GLASSFIBER & CHICKEN FEATHER

CHAPTER - 1
INTRODUCTION
Mankind has been aware of composite materials since several hundred years before
Christ and applied innovation to improve the quality of life. Although it is not clear that
how man understood the fact that mud bricks made sturdier houses if lined with straw, he
used them to make buildings that lasted. The ancient Pharaohs made their slaves use bricks
and mortar to strengthen the structure of their buildings, some of which testify to the
wisdom of a dead civilization even today. Modern architecture stems from research and
innovation from the last few decades evolving from the glass of automotive bodies to
integrate space combinations with other applications. Ironically, although the increasing
familiarity of integrated objects and the growing range of applications, the term carries a
clear definition. Loose terms like materials composed of two or more distinctly identifiable
constituents are used to describe natural composites like timber, organic materials, like
tissue surrounding the skeletal system, soil aggregates, minerals and rock. Composites that
form heterogeneous structures which meet the requirements of specific design and function,
imbued with desired properties which limit the scope for classification. Reinforcing
materials generally withstand maximum load and serve the desirable properties. Further,
though composite types are often distinguishable from one another, no clear determination
can be really made. The demands on matrices are many. They may need to temperature
variations, be conductors or resistors of electricity, have moisture sensitivity etc. This may
offer weight advantages, ease of handling and other merits which may also become
applicable depending on the purpose for which matrices are chosen. Solids that
accommodate stress to incorporate other constituents provide strong bonds for the
reinforcing phase are potential matrix materials.

1.1 Composite material:

A composite material can be defined as a combination of two or more materials that
results in better properties than those of the individual components used alone. In contrast
to metallic alloys, each material retains its separate chemical, physical, and mechanical
properties. The two constituents are a reinforcement and a matrix. The main advantages of
composite materials are their high strength and stiffness, combined with low density, when
compared with bulk materials, allowing for a weight reduction in the finished part.

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FABRICATION & TESTING OF FRP MATERIAL USING GLASSFIBER & CHICKEN FEATHER

The reinforcing phase provides the strength and stiffness. In most cases, the reinforcement
is harder, stronger, and stiffer than the matrix.

Figure 1: Major polymer matrix composite fabrication processes

The major processing routes for polymer matrix composites are shown in Fig. 1.3.
Two types of polymer matrices are shown: thermosets and thermoplastics. A thermoset
starts as a low-viscosity resin that reacts and cures during processing, forming an intractable
solid. A thermoplastic is a high-viscosity resin that is processed by heating it above its
melting temperature. Because a thermoset resin sets up and cures during processing, it
cannot be reprocessed by reheating. By comparison, a thermoplastic can be reheated above
its melting temperature for additional processing. There are processes for both classes of
resins that are more amenable to discontinuous fibres and others that are more amenable to
continuous fibres. In general, because metal and ceramic matrix composites require very
high temperatures and sometimes high pressures for processing, they are normally much
more expensive than polymer matrix composites. However, they have much better thermal
stability, a requirement in applications where the composite is exposed to high temperatures.
This book will deal with both continuous and discontinuous polymer, metal, and ceramic
matrix composites, with an emphasis on continuous fibre, high-performance polymer
composites.

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1.2 Applications:
Applications include aerospace, transportation, construction, marine goods,
sporting goods, and more recently infrastructure, with construction and transportation being
the largest. In general, high-performance but more costly continuous-carbon-fibre
composites are used where high strength and stiffness along with light weight are required,
and much lower-cost fibreglass composites are used in less demanding applications where
weight is not as critical.

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CHAPTER - 2
LITERATURE SURVEY

Sudeep Deshpande, T Ramaswamy. Journal of Engineering Research and

Applications, 4 (8), 118 123, 2014 In this work, an investigation was carried out on E-
glass fibre/jute fibre reinforced epoxy composites filled with varying concentrations of
bone and coconut shell powder. The composites were fabricated by hand lay-up technique
and the mechanical properties such as ultimate tensile strength, flexural strength, inter
laminar shear strength (ILSS), tensile modulus, impact strength and hardness of the
fabricated composites were tested.

P.L. Choudhury, K.M. Pandey, Dept. of Mechanical engineering, NIT Silchar,

Surface treatment was performed on jute fibres to produce effective jute reinforced fibre
epoxy composites. An improvement has been observed in physical appearance of the jute
fibre while analysing with the bleaching agent. There was no significant enhancement
observed in the mechanical properties by adopting this surface treatment. At three different
temperature conditions silane treatment was performed on the bleached jute fibres. The
mechanical properties showed an enhancement due to silane treatment. Also, liquid
retaining capacity of the treated fibres increased which indicates better wetting properties
of the jute fibres. The gel points also showed better pseudo elastic properties in case of
silane treated jute fibre.

Kanishka Jha, published in 2018, Jute/E-Glass reinforced hybrid composite at 30%

reinforcement were fabricated using hand lay-up technique. Five different hybrid
combinations of Jute and E-glass were tested. It was observed that hybridization of jute/E-
glass imparts better mechanical and wear properties than individual fibre reinforced
composite. 150% increment observed on tensile properties of hybrid composite specimens.
It is concluded that Specific wear tends to increase by increasing load for every specimen.
The study of combinations indicates that although the jute-based composites exhibit
relatively inferior mechanical properties, but when clubbed with E-glass fibre their
properties enhanced by manifolds. It further indicates that the incorporation of E-glass fibre
results in improvement of erosion wear resistance of Jute/E-Glass fibre composites.

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FABRICATION & TESTING OF FRP MATERIAL USING GLASSFIBER & CHICKEN FEATHER

K. Devendra, T. Ranga swamy, published in 2013, In this research work, an

investigation was made on the mechanical properties of E-glass fiber reinforced epoxy
composites filled by various filler materials. The E-glass/Epoxy based composite slabs
filled with varying concentrations of (0%, 10% and 15% volume) fly ash, aluminium oxide
(Al2O3), magnesium hydroxide (Mg (OH)2), and hematite powder were prepared.
Composites filled with varying concentrations of fly ash, aluminium oxide (Al2O3),
magnesium hydroxide (Mg (OH)2) and hematite powder were fabricated by standard
method and the mechanical properties such as ultimate tensile strength, impact strength and
hardness of the fabricated composites were studied. The test results show that composites
filled by 10% volume Mg (OH)2 exhibited maximum ultimate tensile strength and hardness.
Fly ash filled composites exhibited maximum impact strength.

Dinesh and Jagdish et. al. research focused on wear study of sisal fibre reinforced
epoxy based composite materials. LY-556 and HY 951 used as resin and hardener
respectively. 10%, 20%, and 30% sisal fibre used as reinforcement during fabrication of
composite by had lay-up method. By increasing the percentage of the sisal fibre in
fabrication work enhance the weight loss of the specimen of wear test. SFRECM can be
used as substitute materials for human Orthopaedic Implants.

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CHAPTER - 3
OBJECTIVES OF THE WORK
1. The present study concentrates on the development of natural composite and to utilize
the advantages offered by renewable sources.
2. Composites are developed by hand layup technique using chicken feather and glass
fibre, epoxy and hardener. Specimens are cut according to the ASTM standard.
3. The hybrid composites are developed with different reinforcements of percentages of
chicken feather.
4. The various tests are conducted to determine the mechanical properties.

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CHAPTER - 4
METHODOLOGY ADOPTED
The laying on of hands is an easy way to process integrated. The infrastructure
requirements for this route are also small. The steps to process are simple. First, the
extruded gel is sprayed on the surface of the mold to avoid polymer adhesion on the surface.
Reinforcement in the form of woven mats or carpets of carved fibre is determined by the
size of the mold and placed on the surface of the mold. Then thermosetting polymer in
liquid form is mixed thoroughly in suitable proportion with a prescribed hardener (curing
agent) and poured onto the surface of mat already placed in the mold. The polymer is
uniformly spread with the help of brush. Second layer of mat is then placed on the polymer
surface and a roller is moved with a mild pressure on the mat polymer layer to remove any
air trapped as well as the excess polymer present. The process is repeated for each layer of
polymer and mat, till the required layers are stacked. After placing the last layer, release
gel is sprayed on the inner surface of the top mould plate which is then kept on the stacked
layers and the pressure is applied. After curing in the room temperature or heat, moulds are
opened and the built-in part is removed and processed. The laying on of hands is shown in
Figure 1. The treatment time depends on the type of polymer used for composite processing.
For example, with an epoxy-based system, the typical cooling time in a room temperature
is 24-48 hours.

Figure 2: Hand-layup method

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FABRICATION & TESTING OF FRP MATERIAL USING GLASSFIBER & CHICKEN FEATHER

CHAPTER – 5
MATERIALS AND FABRICATION OF COMPOSITE
5.1. Chicken Feather:
Chicken feathers have unique structure and properties not found in any natural or
synthetic fibres. Although feathers as such cannot be processed as the protein fibres wool
and silk due to the complex structure of the feathers, the secondary structures of feathers
i.e., the barbs have the structure and properties that make them suitable for use as natural
protein fibres. The low density, excellent compressibility and resiliency, ability to dampen
sound, warmth retention and distinctive morphological structure of feather barbs make
them unique fibres. For example, the density of chicken feathers is about 0.8 g/cm3
compared to about 1.5 g/cm3 for cellulose fibres and about 1.3 g/cm3 for wool. None of
the natural or synthetic fibres commercially available today have a density as low as that
of chicken feathers. Such unique properties make barbs preferable for many applications
such as textiles and composites. In addition to the unique structure and properties, barbs
are cheap, abundantly available and a renewable source for protein fibres. Therefore,
attempts are being made to use annually renewable lignocellulosic agricultural by-products
such as cornhusks, cornstalks and pineapple leaves as an alternative source for cellulosic
fibres. The secondary structures of the feathers, the barbs are in fibrous form and could be
a potential source as protein fibres. More than 4 billion pounds of chicken feathers are
produced in the world every year. About 50% of the weight of the feathers is barbs and the
other 50% is rachis. Even assuming that 20% of the barbs have lengths greater than 1 inch
required for textile applications, about 400 million pounds of barbs will be available as
natural protein fibres every year. This means an availability of 8% of the protein fibres
consumed in the world every year. Since the two natural protein fibres wool and silk are
relatively expensive fibres, using the low-cost barbs as protein fibres will make many
protein fibre products to be economical and also add high value to the feathers. Current
applications of chicken feathers are mainly in composites and non-woven fabrics. Recently,
several attempts on using the barbs as ‘‘feather fibres’’ for composites and non-woven have
been reported. These feather fibres have been recently characterized for their micro
structural properties. Although several researchers have reported the structure and
properties of feathers from various birds, most of the work has been done on the feather in
its entirety and mostly on the feather rachis.

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5.2 Araldite epoxy:

Araldite are used as epoxy resin and hardener materials, respectively. The epoxy
system supplied from the Huntsman Corporation has a high glass transition temperature
and elasticity modulus due to its high cross-linked structure. Compared to other epoxy
resins, the cured epoxy system shows excellent mechanical, dynamic and thermal (hot/wet)
properties and good chemical resistance and reactivity.

5.3 Glass fibre-reinforced polymer composites:

Composite materials produce a combination property of two or more materials that
cannot be achieved by either fibre or matrix when they are acting alone.
⚫ Fibre-reinforced composites were successfully used for many decades for all
engineering applications.
⚫ Glass fibre-reinforced polymeric (GFRP) composites was most commonly used in the
manufacture of composite materials. The matrix comprised organic, polyester, thermo
stable, vinyl ester, and phenolic and epoxy resins. Polyester resins are classified into
phenolic and isophthalic.
⚫ The mechanical behaviour of a fibre-reinforced composite basically depends on the
fibre strength and modulus, the chemical stability, matrix strength and the interface
bonding between the fibre/matrix to enable stress transfer.
⚫ Suitable compositions and orientation of fibres made desired properties and functional
characteristics of GFRP composites was equal to steel, had higher stiffness than
aluminium and the specific gravity was one-quarter of the steel.
⚫ The various GF reinforcements like long longitudinal, woven mat, chopped fibre
(distinct) and chopped mat in the composites have been produced to enhance the
mechanical and tribological properties of the composites. The properties of composites
depend on the fibres laid or laminated in the matrix during the composite’s preparation.
⚫ High cost of polymers was a limiting factor in their use for commercial applications.
Due to that the use of fillers improved the properties of composites and ultimately
reduced the cost of the preparation and product.

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FABRICATION & TESTING OF FRP MATERIAL USING GLASSFIBER & CHICKEN FEATHER

Figure 3: Classification and physical properties of various glass fibres.

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, S.E.A.C.E.T., Bangalore-560049. 10

FABRICATION & TESTING OF FRP MATERIAL USING GLASSFIBER & CHICKEN FEATHER

5.3.1 Application:
⚫ Electronics: GRP has been widely used for circuit board manufacture (PCB’s), TVs,
radios, computers, cell phones, electrical motor covers etc.
⚫ Home and furniture: Roof sheets, bathtub furniture, windows, sun shade, show racks,
book racks, tea tables, spa tubs etc.
⚫ Aviation and aerospace: GRP have been extensively used in aviation and aerospace
though it is not widely used for primary airframe construction, as there are alternative
materials which better suit the applications. Typical GRP applications are engine
cowlings, luggage racks, instrument enclosures, bulkheads, ducting, storage bins and
antenna enclosures. It is also widely used in ground-handling equipment.

⚫ Boats and marine: Its properties are ideally suited to boat construction. Although
there were problems with water absorption, the modern resins are more resilient and
they are used to make the simple type of boats. In fact, GRP is lower weight materials
compared to other materials like wood and metals.
⚫ Medical: Because of its low porosity, non-staining and hard-wearing finish, GRP is
widely suited to medical applications. From instrument enclosures to X-ray beds
(where X-ray transparency is important) are made up of GRP.
⚫ Automobiles: GRP has been extensively used for automobile parts like body panels,
seat cover plates, door panels, bumpers and engine cover.

However, GRP has been widely used for replacing the present metal and non-metal
parts in the various applications and tooling costs are relatively low as compared with metal
assemblies.

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5.4 Fabrication of composites:

1. Washing and cleaning: The chicken feathers were collected from the nearest chicken
farm and the feathers collected were washed and cleaned multiple times to remove dust
and bad odder in them.

Figure 4: Collected chicken feathers. Figure 5: Washing and cleaning chicken feathers.

2. Dry: The washed and cleaned chicken feathers spread on a plastic sheet and were
placed under direct sun light for several days to completely dry them for the next
process.

Figure 6: Chicken feather drying

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FABRICATION & TESTING OF FRP MATERIAL USING GLASSFIBER & CHICKEN FEATHER

3. Grinding: Now the completely dried chicken feathers are collected and grinded and
at the end the feathers attain cotton like texture with small fibres.

Figure 7: Grinded chicken feathers Figure 8: Grinded chicken feathers with cotton
like texture.

4. Mould assembly: The mould for the composite preparation is made using glass plate
and double-sided tape.

5. Next a mould release wax is applied on to the glass surface before pouring the epoxy
so that the finished composite can easily remove once hardened.

6. The glass fibre/mat required for the lay-up process is cut to the dimension of the
composite to be prepared by means of templates, paper patterns or by approximate
measurements taken.

Figure 9: Glass fiber sheet.

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FABRICATION & TESTING OF FRP MATERIAL USING GLASSFIBER & CHICKEN FEATHER

7. The first resin coat is poured on to the glass plate inside the mould and spread evenly
by a brush.

8. The first layer of fibre mat is placed over the resin coating inside the mould and Care
must be taken to ensure an even coverage of resin, free from air bubbles.

Figure 10: First layer of glass fiber.

9. Immediately after the first layer of fibre has been applied a compression roller is used
to compress the mat and squeeze air bubbles and excess resin from the laminate. This
technique appreciably improves the strength of the moulding by increasing its density
and reducing its porosity on the inside surface, so it is important that the roller is used
firmly and evenly across the entire surface.

Figure 11: Compressing the first layer and removing the air bubbles.

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FABRICATION & TESTING OF FRP MATERIAL USING GLASSFIBER & CHICKEN FEATHER

10. After a layer of fibre next grinded chicken feathers are placed evenly on the fibre mat
and resin is applied over it.

Figure 12: Chicken feather laminate layer.

11. Successive layers of laminate are now applied to the mould until the lay-up is complete.
Each layer is compression rolled as described above.

12. Using this method five layer of laminate is prepare, i.e., four layer of glass fibre and
three-layer chicken feathers.

13. After the last resin coat has been applied, the composition is covered with another
removable glass sheet. The mould is closed by placing a glass sheet which is exactly
the shape and size of the mould and weight on top of the glass.

14. A weight of 25-30 kg is placed on top of the glass.

15. The composite is let to cure for about 48 hours with the weights placed on top.

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FABRICATION & TESTING OF FRP MATERIAL USING GLASSFIBER & CHICKEN FEATHER

CHAPTER - 6
TEST RESULTS
Composite materials are a class of materials that consist of two or more components
that are combined to form a new material with enhanced properties. The components of a
composite material can be of different types such as fibers, particles, and matrices. The use
of composites has become increasingly popular in various fields due to their unique
properties such as high strength, stiffness, low weight, and corrosion resistance. One of the
challenges in using composites is finding an economical and sustainable source for the
reinforcement material. Chicken feathers are one such waste product that is generated in
large quantities by the poultry industry and can be a potential source for the development
of new composite materials. In this study, we prepared a composite material using epoxy
resin, chicken feathers, and glass fiber mesh. Epoxy resins are widely used in composite
materials due to their excellent mechanical properties, adhesion, and low shrinkage. Glass
fibers are used as a reinforcement material due to their high strength, stiffness, and
resistance to corrosion. The use of chicken feathers in composite materials is a relatively
new concept that has gained attention in recent years due to their low cost, renewable nature,
and biodegradability. In this report, we present the results of the mechanical properties tests,
including tensile, compression, flexural, and Shore D hardness tests, conducted on the
composite material to understand its performance and suitability for various applications.
The outcomes of this study have important implications for the development of sustainable
composite materials and for the efficient utilization of waste products.

6.1 Tests conducted:

1. Tensile test

2. Flexural test

3. Shore ‘D’ test

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6.1.1 Tensile Test:

Tensile test is a mechanical test used to measure the strength of a material
when subjected to a stretching force. During the test, a test specimen is clamped at
both ends and pulled in opposite directions until it breaks. The amount of force
applied and the resulting deformation are recorded, and from these measurements,
the tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation at break of the material can be
determined.

ASTM D3039 is a standard test method for tensile properties of polymer

matrix composite materials. This test method specifies the procedure for
determining the tensile properties of fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composite
materials using a uniaxial tensile test. The test involves applying a tensile load to a
specimen of the composite material until it fails, while measuring the load and
displacement. The resulting data is used to determine the tensile strength, modulus,
and strain of the material. This standard test method is widely used in the aerospace,
automotive, and construction industries to evaluate the mechanical properties of
composite materials and to ensure their quality and performance.

Figure 13: conducting tensile test

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FABRICATION & TESTING OF FRP MATERIAL USING GLASSFIBER & CHICKEN FEATHER

Initial dimensions:
Length = 250 mm
Width = 27 mm
Gauge length = 50 mm
Gauge width = 12.45 mm
Section length = 80 mm
Area = 95.118 mm²

Numerical results
SL. NO DISPLACEMENT LOAD SL. NO DISPLACEMENT LOAD
1 0 0.15 10 3.07 1
2 0.45 0.25 11 3.66 1.2
3 0.72 0.14 12 4.25 1.4
4 1.3 0.15 13 4.84 1.6
5 2.4 0.19 14 5.43 1.74
6 3.2 0.23 15 6.02 0.07
7 3.62 0.4 16 6.61 0.05
8 4.13 0.6 17 7.2 0.07
9 4.65 0.8
Table 1: Tensile test data

LOAD VS DISPLACEMENT
2
1.74
1.8
1.6
1.6
1.4
1.4
1.2
1.2
LOAD IN KN

1
1
0.8
0.8
0.6
0.6
0.4
0.4 0.25 0.23
0.15 0.14 0.15 0.19
0.2 0.07 0.05 0.07

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
DISPLACEMENT IN MM

Graph 1: tensile test graph

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, S.E.A.C.E.T., Bangalore-560049. 18

FABRICATION & TESTING OF FRP MATERIAL USING GLASSFIBER & CHICKEN FEATHER

Final dimensions:
Final gauge length = 51.1 mm

From test:
Maximum force = 1.740 KN
Yield load = 1.62 KN

Calculation:
𝑷𝒎𝒂𝒙
1. Tensile Strength = 𝝈𝒎𝒂𝒙 = - equation 1
𝑨𝒐

𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 = Tensile strength in N/mm²

𝑃max = Maximum Force in KN
𝐴0 = Area in mm²

1.74 × 103
𝝈𝒎𝒂𝒙 = = 𝟏𝟖. 𝟐𝟗 𝑵⁄
95.118 𝒎𝒎²

𝒚𝒊𝒆𝒍𝒅 𝒍𝒐𝒂𝒅
2. Yield stress = 𝝈𝒔 = - equation 2
𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒂
Yield load in KN
𝐴0 = Area in mm²

1.62 × 103
𝝈𝒔 = = 𝟏𝟕. 𝟎𝟑 𝑵/𝒎𝒎𝟐
95.118

∆𝑳−𝑳
3. % Of elongation = - equation 3
𝑳
𝛥𝐿 = final length in mm
𝐿 = Initial length in mm

51.1− 50
% Of elongation = × 100 = 2.20%
50

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, S.E.A.C.E.T., Bangalore-560049. 19

FABRICATION & TESTING OF FRP MATERIAL USING GLASSFIBER & CHICKEN FEATHER

6.1.2 Flexural Test:

Flexural test is a mechanical test used to measure the strength and stiffness
of a material when subjected to a bending force. During the test, a test specimen is
supported at two points and a force is applied at the center of the specimen until it
bends or breaks. The amount of force applied and the resulting deformation are
recorded, and from these measurements, the flexural strength and modulus of
elasticity of the material can be determined.

ASTM D726M-15 is a standard test method for laboratory determination of

shear properties of fiber reinforced polymer matrix composite materials using the
V-notched beam (VNB) method. The V-notched beam method is used to determine
the in-plane shear properties of composite materials under a uniform shear stress.
The test method involves preparing a composite beam with a V-shaped notch at the
center, and then loading it in shear using a four-point bending fixture while
measuring the load and displacement.

Figure 14: conducting flexural test

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, S.E.A.C.E.T., Bangalore-560049. 20

FABRICATION & TESTING OF FRP MATERIAL USING GLASSFIBER & CHICKEN FEATHER

Initial dimensions:
Length = 100 mm
Depth = 7.6 mm
Width = 30 mm

Numerical results
SL. NO DISPLACEMENT LOAD SL. NO DISPLACEMENT LOAD
1 0.1 0.14 10 3.7 0.43
2 0.5 0.17 11 4.1 0.48
3 0.9 0.21 12 4.5 0.5
4 1.3 0.24 13 4.7 0.51
5 1.7 0.27 14 5.1 0.52
6 2.1 0.3 15 5.2 0.53
7 2.5 0.34 16 6 0.05
8 2.9 0.37 17 7.5 0.06
9 3.3 0.4 18 9.3 0.09
Table 2: Flexural test data

LOAD VS DISPLACEMENT
0.6
0.52 0.53
0.5 0.51
0.48
0.5
0.43
0.4
0.4 0.37
0.34
LOAD IN KN

0.3
0.3 0.27
0.24
0.21
0.2 0.17
0.14
0.09
0.1 0.05 0.06

0
0.1 0.5 0.9 1.3 1.7 2.1 2.5 2.9 3.3 3.7 4.1 4.5 4.7 5.1 5.2 6 7.5 9.3
DISPLACEMENT IN MM

Graph 2: Flexural test graph

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, S.E.A.C.E.T., Bangalore-560049. 21

FABRICATION & TESTING OF FRP MATERIAL USING GLASSFIBER & CHICKEN FEATHER

From test:
Maximum force =0.530 KN

Calculations:
𝟑𝑭𝑳
1. Flexural strength = 𝝈 = - equation 4
𝟐𝑩𝑫𝟐
F = maximum force in KN
L = length in MM
B = width in MM
D = depth in MM

3×0.516×100
𝝈= = 44.69 N/mm²
2×30×7.62

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, S.E.A.C.E.T., Bangalore-560049. 22

FABRICATION & TESTING OF FRP MATERIAL USING GLASSFIBER & CHICKEN FEATHER

6.1.3 Shore ‘D’ Test:

Shore D hardness test is a non-destructive mechanical test used to measure
the hardness of a material. It is commonly used for determining the hardness of rigid
plastics, rubber, and other similar materials. During the test, a durometer with a
Shore D indenter is pressed into the surface of the material, and the depth of
penetration is measured. The indenter is a cone-shaped diamond point with a
specific angle and force. The hardness value is given in Shore D units, which is a
measure of the resistance of the material to indentation. The higher the Shore D
value, the harder the material.
ASTM D 2240 is a standard test method used to determine the hardness
using a Shore hardness tester. The test measures the resistance of the material to
indentation by a standard indenter, with the hardness value being expressed as a
Shore hardness number.
The test involves using a durometer equipped with a spring-loaded indenter
that is pressed into the surface of the material. The depth of indentation is
proportional to the hardness of the material, with the hardness value being read from
a graduated scale on the durometer.

Figure 15: conducting Shore ‘D' Hardness test

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, S.E.A.C.E.T., Bangalore-560049. 23

FABRICATION & TESTING OF FRP MATERIAL USING GLASSFIBER & CHICKEN FEATHER

Numerical results

SL.NO TEST RESULT

1 Shore 'D' Hardness 65-70

Table 3: Shore 'D' hardness test data

Figure 16: Shore hardness scale

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, S.E.A.C.E.T., Bangalore-560049. 24

FABRICATION & TESTING OF FRP MATERIAL USING GLASSFIBER & CHICKEN FEATHER

COSTING
SL.NO PARTICULARS PRICE
1 Glass Fibre ₹1,300

2 Epoxy Resin ₹3,100

3 Tests ₹4,500

4 Miscellaneous ₹3,500

Total ₹12,400

Table 4: Cost of the work

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, S.E.A.C.E.T., Bangalore-560049. 25

FABRICATION & TESTING OF FRP MATERIAL USING GLASSFIBER & CHICKEN FEATHER

CONCLUSION

According to the findings, it can be concluded that CFF has great value and a wide
range of development and is achieved through advanced research in the field of high-quality
integrated materials. All structures, their structure and effect can be easily tested. Further
research into CFF-based integration can be easily done by conveying the above information.
Different combinations can be made with CFF such as Matrix, Particulate or Fibre and the
integration of all forms can be added by various percentages to design hybrid combinations.
Highly improved and hybrid materials can be designed through modification in the
existence material and property enhancement can be done. Further scope in the bio
composite design is the use of CFF in hybrid composite manufacturing. CFF has good
fibrous nature, its morphological results relate to the unit-form dispersion. If fibre
orientation is made systematic instead of random and sizing is manipulated also if the
mixing technique of fibre with matrix during casting is improved, then an enhanced
characterization of developed composite can be achieved with much cost-effective
applications.

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, S.E.A.C.E.T., Bangalore-560049. 26

FABRICATION & TESTING OF FRP MATERIAL USING GLASSFIBER & CHICKEN FEATHER

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DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, S.E.A.C.E.T., Bangalore-560049. 27