Thermal Characteristic of Keratin Fibres from Poultry Feathers and their Suitability to Conversion into Thermoset Biobased Composites

The possibility of using animal wastes in the form of feathers for the production of various types of composites is an extremely original concept, opening to researchers a wide field for experiments and interdisciplinary scientific research. This article presents the results of studies on the thermal stability of keratin from feathers originating from various poultry slaughterhouses, as well as an example of the use of feathers for the production of thermosetting composites. The keratin protein contained in feathers, like any protein, is very sensitive to various external factors, e.g. high temperature. The scientific goal of the research presented in the article was a deep analysis of changes occurring in the structure of keratin protein in feathers during heating. The technological goal was to develop new thermosetting composites based on spun-bonded nonwovens with the addition of keratin fibres from poultry feather wastes.