Abstract

SANCHEZ-OLIVARES, Guadalupe et al. Effect of keratin biofiber on the properties of a thermoplastic biopolymer: Preliminary study. Ing. invest. y tecnol. [online]. 2017, vol.18, n.4, pp.369-378. ISSN 2594-0732.

In this work, the effect of keratin biofiber on the properties of a thermoplastic starch biopolymer (TPS) is investigated. The keratin biofiber was obtained from tannery industry waste. The materials were compounded by reactive extrusion and injection molding. Traditional halogen-free Flame Retardant (FR) additives were used for comparison. According to the thermogravimetric and rheological analyses, the addition of the keratin biofiber increases the thermal stability of the TPS, especially in combination with FR additives, since the mass loss rate was reduced. This behavior is attributed to the formation of more complex and resistant structures in the composite material. From dynamic-mechanical analysis, the keratin biofiber has an important effect on the storage modulus (E’) as it increases considerably. According to the mechanical properties, Yong’modulus, tensile strength, strain at break and tenacity results supported that keratin biofiber acts as filler in TPS. On the other hand, when keratin fiber is added without FR in TPS, strain at break and tenacity are increased considerably. This is attributed to a good adhesion of the keratin biofiber with the polymer matrix.

Keywords : biofiber; keratin; biopolymer; thermal stability; mechanical reinforcement; tannery industry waste.