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Structure and Properties of Chicken Feather Barbs as Natural Protein Fibers

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Abstract

The structure and properties of chicken feather barbs makes them unique fibers preferable for several applications. The presence of hollow honeycomb structures, their low density, high flexibility and possible structural interaction with other fibers when made into products such as textiles provides them unique properties unlike any other natural or synthetic fibers. No literature is available on the physical structure and tensile properties of chicken feather barbs. In this study, we report the physical and morphological structure and the properties of chicken feather barbs for potential use as natural protein fibers. The morphological structure of chicken feather barbs is similar to that of the rachis but the physical structure of the protein crystals in chicken feather barbs is different than that reported for feather rachis keratin. The tensile properties of barbs in terms of their strength and modulus are similar but the elongation is lower than that of wool. Using the cheap and abundant feathers as protein fibers will conserve the energy, benefit the environment and also make the fiber industry more sustainable

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Brian Jones with the Center for Materials Research and Analysis in the Physics Department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for his help in the X-ray characterization studies. The authors are indebted to the financial support from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Agricultural Research Division and the support through the Hatch Act

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Textiles, Clothing and Design, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 234, HE Building, Lincoln, NE, 68583-0802, USA

    Narendra Reddy & Yiqi Yang

  2. Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 234, HE Building, Lincoln, NE, 68583-0802, USA

    Yiqi Yang

Authors
  1. Narendra Reddy
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  2. Yiqi Yang
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Correspondence to Yiqi Yang.

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Reddy, N., Yang, Y. Structure and Properties of Chicken Feather Barbs as Natural Protein Fibers. J Polym Environ 15, 81–87 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-007-0054-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-007-0054-7

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