Investigation of physical, mechanical and insulation properties of light density polyethylene matrix goose feather and wood fiber reinforced hybrid biocomposites

Along with developing technological innovations and constantly improving material qualities, traditional petroleum-derived polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and the composites formed with them have become very common materials in today's industry. However, the fact that these polymers cannot be a sustainable material together with the harm they cause to nature has increased the interest in alternative materials that can be replaced in the scientific world where environmental awareness has increased. In this respect, the number of studies on biocomposites has increased day by day. The waste problem that occurs after the application of these polymers, which are frequently used in the automotive industry, insulation, coating and packaging industries, constitutes a major problem and its solution has been made mandatory. Given their good mechanical properties and wide area of application, biocomposites produced in conjunction with polyethylene (PE) and natural reinforcements have the capacity to become an alternative to many conventional engineering materials and polymer products used in the industry. Goose feather is a natural material that has a textile area due to its high filling performance and good insulation skills. In this study, PE matrix produced high insulation goose down and carcass wood flour reinforced biocomposites and its mechanical performance properties, including insulation properties, were studied. With the production of these double-reinforced biocomposite materials, a material alternative to pure polymers is developed in the industrial area with better insulation properties and improved mass performance. Wood and goose feather-reinforced composites were produced in different proportions and compared with double-reinforced composites containing both goose feather and wood flour. Biocomposites were manufactured using 40 L/D double screw extruder, and the biocomposites produced were subject to tapping and bending tests to determine their mechanical properties. In order to examine the physical properties of the biocomposite materials produced, density, thickness increase and water uptake tests have been performed; TGA analysis to determine the thermal properties and sound absorption coefficient measurements and thermal conductivity coefficient tests for insulation properties, FTIR analysis for the chemical bond characterization have been performed. As a result, it was observed that the reinforcement elements significantly improved the bending properties compared to the polymer. According to the results obtained in the thermal conductivity tests, it is predicted that an efficient material will be produced when the amount of reinforcement elements was increased. In the sound absorption coefficient tests, it has been proven that all reinforcing elements have improved properties compared to the LDPE matrix. It has been observed that the sound absorption coefficient of biocomposites with a mixture of 7.5% wood flour and goose fiber and 2.5% both wood flour and goose fiber biocomposites increases significantly. However, it was noted that the level of water absorption increased in the water absorption tests due to the reinforcement elements. Due to the hygroscopic nature of biocomposites especially with wood flour added composite material, higher values were achieved in water absorption and swelling rates. According to the data obtained as a result of the study, with utilization of the inexpensive natural reinforcements in the produced biocomposites, new environmentally friendly industrial options with better mechanical properties and relatively acceptable physical properties have emerged compared to the pure polymer.