Assessment of Changes Due to Accelerated Weathering of Low-Density Polyethylene/Feather Composites.

In this study, property changes of controlled aged LDPE/feather composites in comparison to those of nonaged samples were investigated by mechanical tests, dynamic rheological and thermal tests, infrared spectroscopy, and oxygen permeability analysis. The viscoelastic behavior of the aged composites was modified, whereas a pseudoplastic character was observed for the nonaged samples. After weathering, infrared spectroscopy indicated the formation of carbonyl and vinyl groups, and the oxygen permeability became significantly higher than for the reference samples. DSC results showed α-helix denaturation of keratin after aging and an increase in crystallinity due to reinforcement of composites containing feather fibers upon UV exposure. An aging time of 500 h was found to induce surface degradation of composites, especially for a feather fiber loading of 10 wt %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]