Effect of alkali treatment on hair fiber as reinforcement of HDPE composites: mechanical properties and water absorption behavior

This research work investigated the effect of fiber loading and alkali treatment on hair fiber (HF)-reinforced high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites in terms of mechanical properties and water absorption behavior. The mechanical stability of the composite material was studied by Universal Testing Machine. The alkali treatment of HF-reinforced HDPE composites was responsible for the investigation of the mechanical and water absorption properties. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were also done for the study of the reinforced polymer composites. The results of the SEM analysis were very helpful for the study of the morphology of the fiber-matrix interface for better/optimum mechanical properties.