Figure 2
![Schematic of human hair structure and cross-section (Wei et al. [6]).](profile/Akarsh-Verma/publication/304904238/figure/fig1/AS:381359961985024@1467934708016/Schematic-of-human-hair-structure-and-cross-section-Wei-et-al-6.png)
Schematic of human hair structure and cross-section (Wei et al. [6]).
Source publication
Biological fibers have recently became eye-catching to researchers, engineers and scientists as an alternative reinforcement for FRP (fiber reinforced polymer) composites, due to their low cost, fairly good mechanical properties and high aspect strength. One of the immaculate biological fibers is the human hair. On the whole, three to four tons of...
Context in source publication
Citations
... Human hair (HH), as one of the natural fiber reinforcements, has been explored by numerous researchers as an environmentally friendly material (Gupta 2014;Kathiresan and Meenakshisundaram 2022;Salih 2019;Verma, Studies, and Singh 2016). ...
... However, lately, researchers have been exploring the possibility of using HH as reinforcements in polymer composites simply because of their outstanding diverse properties and current environmental concerns, ecological risk, and the world energy crisis (Ali, Rohit, and Dixit 2023;Ansari, Dhakad, and Agarwal 2020). The unique properties of most biological fibers, such as their non-irritation properties, abundance in nature, nontoxic, non-corrosiveness, and lightweight, have attracted scientists to use them as alternative reinforcements to synthetic ones (Verma, Studies, and Singh 2016;Yu et al. 2017). ...
... Chemically, the primary component of HH is α-keratin protein, which forms up to 65-95%. And like any other protein fiber such as wool, it is this main component that largely defines the unique properties of HH, including its high strength, stability, and insolubility in water and organic solvents (Nanda and Satapathy 2017;Shavandi et al. 2017;Verma, Studies, and Singh 2016;Wolfram 2003;Yu et al. 2017). This is why damaging the cuticle does not affect the original tensile properties of the original HH fiber (Yu et al. 2017). ...
Human hair (HH) is considered a waste material generated in salons and barbershops in most societies, especially highly populated cities, where it is produced in large quantities, thus rekindling the interests of academics. Several studies are ongoing on the possibility of utilizing it as a reinforcement in polymer composites, either in its raw form or as extracted keratin nanoparticles, due to its unique features and the current global emphasis on circular economy. The present review seeks to provide a synopsis of recent developments in the utilization of HH and keratin in polymer composites. Composites from different HH loading, length, and chemical treatments were made using hand lay-up and hot compression molding methods. HH has been investigated in diverse composite systems, encompassing HH/natural fiber composites, HH/synthetic fiber composites, and keratin-reinforced composites. Our study revealed that these innovative materials exhibit enhanced energy absorption capacity, mechanical strength, hardness, and thermal properties, positioning them as promising choices for a wide range of engineering applications. The review further revealed that keratin nano-particles can be extracted from waste HH using various methods such as reduction alkaline hydrolysis and can be used as reinforcement in polymer composites.
... Comparison with Other Materials: The use of HHFs, such as available human hair, in concrete reinforcement presents a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional reinforcement materials, such as steel and polypropylene fibers [14][15][16]2]. Various types of fibers possess distinct mechanical and physical properties, making them suitable for diverse applications. E-Glass exhibits a density range of 2.54-2.6 g/cm³, high tensile strength (900-3000 MPa), and moderate elongation at break (1.8-3.2%). ...
This research investigates the effect of incorporating innovative human hair fibers (HHF) and polypropylene fibers (PPF) into concrete, which has been observed to enhance the material’s strength characteristics. These fibers augment the concrete’s tensile strength and resilience, fortifying it against cracks and elevating its overall endurance. This research delves into the impact of reinforcing concrete specimens with human hair and polypropylene fibers. These specimens are employed in cube, cylinder and flexural beam tests. Both fresh and hardened properties, such as compaction factor and slump, and compressive, split-tensile, and flexural strength at varying curing periods (28 days and 90 days) and the ratios (1%, 2%, and 3%) are considered by weight of cement. Specifically, the 3% polypropylene fiber concrete mix exhibited the highest average compressive strength at both 28 and 90 days, while the 2% polypropylene fiber mix showed the highest split-tensile strength. Flexural strength results followed a similar trend. Results show that 3% HHF addition leads to notable improvements in concrete strength properties, albeit not as significant as with polypropylene fibers. Statistical analysis, including independent samples Kruskal–Wallis tests, was conducted to compare the distributions of strength values across different groups. The statistical analysis indicates significant differences in strength distributions across groups, with p-values below the significance level of 0.05. This underscores HHF’s potential as a sustainable alternative in construction applications, contributing to enhanced concrete strength.
... Waste human hair trade has increased day after day. The economics of the human hair industry reached $7 billion in 2020 as a commercial application of wasted human hair fiber [58]. The basic backbone of hair is incredibly strong keratin; a single strand of hair can load 100-150 grams of weight [59,60]. ...
... Although plant-based fibers are most commonly used as reinforcements in composites, many animal-based fibers also have great potential. Human hair is one of the most promising animal fibers owing to its abundance, high weightto-strength ratio, slow degradation rate, hydrophilic nature, and elastic recovery properties [4,5]. Hair is actually a keratin protein-based fiber with a long chain of amino acids. ...
Nowadays, a wider range of research projects are being performed on composite materials in search of alternatives to existing materials. Composite materials consist of more than one constituent material that has completely different properties or sometimes has upgraded versions of its constituents' properties. Due to various reasons, such as plastic pollution, the need for greater weight-to-strength ratio materials, and the need for more accessible materials, the composite field has gained more and more importance among researchers. In this work, an epoxy-resin-based composite material reinforced with jute and hair fiber is investigated to find the tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact strength of each composition composite and to compare the mechanical properties of jute fiber and human hair by comparison of two different composition composites. The study's findings provide significant new insights into the mechanical characteristics of the jute and human hair unidirectional hybrid composite, including the finding that composites with human hair embedded (with hair, WH) had 5% more impact strength and toughness than the non-embedded ones (without hair, WoH). Both hybrid composites showed an average elongation at break of 3.5%, whereas the traditional jute composites had an average elongation at break of 0.7%, indicating a 400% increase in elongation for the hybrid composites. Using human hair, a renewable and widely available resource, as an alternative to synthetic fibers is environmentally friendly and sustainable. This comparative analysis sheds light on the performance of human hair and jute-hybrid unidirectional composites over traditional jute composites. This study explored the potential of human hair as a low-cost and widely available material to bolster natural fiber-reinforced composites. According to the analysis, adding human hair fibers to the hybrid composites improves their impact resistance and elongation, making them suitable for uses that call for materials with greater ductility and energy absorption capacities.
... carbon, 20.85% oxygen, 17.14% nitrogen, 6.36% hydrogen, and 5.0% sulphur. In the last few years, biological fibers have become a desirable alternative reinforcement for composites from both ecological and economical point of view (Akarsh et al. [166]). Human hair fiber is a non-homogeneous, complex material. ...
... Moreover, its solid fuel has a high energy content (Szynkowska et al. 2009) and is also used in medicine (Gupta 2014). In general, during the thermo-chemical process, these types of biomasses produce low levels of sulfur, which cannot cause pollution (Kumar et al. 2013;Talaie et al. 2011;Tan et al. 1985;Thompson 2010;Tod 1977;Verma et al. 2016;Verma et al. 2008;Winterman 2010;Zahmatkesh et al. 2022a, b, c). Anom and Lombok (2022) reported that pyrolysis of discarded human hair resulted in the rapid decomposition of human waste. ...
There are several environmental and human health impacts if human hair waste is not adequately disposed of. In this study, pyrolysis of discarded human hair was carried out. This research focused on the pyrolysis of discarded human hair under controlled environmental conditions. The effects of the mass of discarded human hair and temperature on bio-oil yield were studied. The proximate and ultimate analyses and calorific values of disposed of human hair, bio-oil, and biochar were determined. Further, chemical compounds of bio-oil were analyzed using a gas chromatograph and a mass spectrometer. Finally, the kinetic modeling and behavior of the pyrolysis process were characterized through FT-IR spectroscopy and thermal analysis. Based on the optimized mass of disposed of human hair, 250 g had a better bio-oil yield of 97% in the temperature range of 210–300 °C. The different parameters of bio-oil were: pH (2.87), specific gravity (1.17), moisture content (19%), heating value (19.34 MJ/kg), and viscosity (50 CP). C (56.4%), H (6.1%), N (0.16%), S (0.01%), O (38.4%), and Ash (0.1%) were discovered to be the elemental chemical composition of bio-oil (on a dry basis). During breakdown, the release of different compounds like hydrocarbons, aldehydes, ketones, acids, and alcohols takes place. According to the GC–MS results, several amino acids were discovered in the bio-oil, 12 abundant in the discarded human hair. The FTIR and thermal analysis found different concluding temperatures and wave numbers for functional groups. Two main stages are partially separated at about 305 °C, with maximum degradation rates at about 293 oC and 400–4140 °C, respectively. The mass loss was 30% at 293 ⁰C and 82% at temperatures above 293 ⁰C. When the temperature reached 410⁰C, the entire bio-oil from discarded human hair was distilled or thermally decomposed.
... Plant-based fibers such as jute, banana, sisal, hemp, coir, pineapple, betel nut, bamboo, palm, etc. (Rahman et al. 2020;Verma, Singh, and Sharma 2016) are the most popular to the researchers to fabricate polymer composites. It has remarkable properties such as 100% biodegradability, environmentally friendly, low cost and density, high specific strength, and plenty of availability (Rahman et al. 2020;Venkateshappa et al. 2010). ...
Natural fiber-reinforced two hybrid composites: “Jute and betel nut husk (BNH)” and “Human hair, Jute and BNH,” are fabricated by the hand lay-up method using 50:50 and 33.33:33.33:33.33 fiber ratio by weight, respectively. The 3 to 4 mm long fibers and 20% fiber loading by volume are used to fabricate the composites. The mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural, impact strength, and hardness of composites are evaluated by tests as per ASTM standards and compared. This study revealed that human hair-embedded (with hair – WH) composite is remarkably stronger than non-embedded ones (without hair – WoH). In human hair-embedded (WH) composites, the tensile, flexural, and impact strength are found more than 75% higher, and the hardness is found 19% higher than non-embedded ones (WoH). The bonding between fibers and matrix, voids, microcracks, and fracture of the composites are also investigated by SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy). It revealed that human hair-embedded composites have stronger bonding, fewer voids and microcracks, and outstanding energy absorption capacity, strength, and hardness. This study expands the scope of human hair to strengthen natural fiber-reinforced composites as a low-cost constituent and application of human hair-embedded composites in different engineering fields, ultimately reducing environmental pollution and greenhouse effects.
... The properties of fiber concrete is influenced mainly by the physical and mechanical properties of the fiber. [3]A decent fiber should have good adhesion within the matrix and adaptable elasticity modulus. It must be compatible with the binder, which shouldn't be attacked or destroyed within the long run. ...
In the present era, the researcher and scientists were finding various alternative solutions to utilize the different waste coming from other different sources. These wastes are not suitable for the environment and ecology. Many researchers are already determining some of the alternative for the proper utilization of waste in an effective manner. Some of the industrial waste can be utilized in the construction industries such as fly-ash, blast furnace slag, silica fumes, etc. and can create a vast change in concrete technology. Concrete have less resistance against tension so to overcome this issue, various types of fiber are included in the mix to enhance the tensile strength. In this research, the human hair (which is a type of waste coming from different sources and can be utilized by other sector doe manufacturing of artificial hairs) is used as fiber in the different percentage in the mix. The concrete mix is firstly determined with the help mix proportioning and the concrete is properly mixed, compacted and casted in different types of mould. After the samples are remolded, the samples are investigated on the basis of its mechanical properties. The main objective of this research is to evaluate the effect the waste human hair used in the form of fiber in the concrete mix and also compare the mechanical properties of different mixes with each other's.
... [6] The current necessity to replace synthetic materials, due to environmental concerns, has motivated the research to make use of materials from natural resources, without stopping using the polymers that make human life comfortable, but rather mixing them, thus reducing pollution. Due to their mechanical properties, low cost, and high aspect strength, [7] natural organic fibers provide a potential alternative for their use as reinforcement in polymers, and the possibility to replace inorganic filler such as glass or carbon fiber. The most important polymeric composites are found in nature, considering that the use of fiber in their native way reduces processing cost, [8] several investigations have been done using hair as a fiber as reinforcement in composites. ...
Concerned about environmental pollution, and aware of the comfort that polyethylene provides for daily human life, this work sought to replace a percentage of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) with human or bovine hair. Hair is natural, abundant, light weight, non‐toxic, and disposed of as garbage. The main disadvantage of natural composites is the interfacial adhesion. To increase the interfacial adhesion between hair and HDPE, stearic acid or oleic acid was chemically anchored on the hair surface, which leads to an improved contact angle hysteresis and hydrophobicity. Dynamic‐mechanical properties of the composites were investigated focusing on the type of carboxylic acid used (stearic or oleic acid), hair length, hair type (human or bovine) and amount of hair used in the composite. Taking 40°C as a reference, using 15% of hair with a length of 1 ± 0.15 mm, the highest storage modulus value was obtained with HDPE with human hair modified with oleic acid, exceeding the value of the storage modulus of HDPE by 67.64%. Increasing storage modulus on composites indicates of interfacial interaction and chemical affinity improvement between hair and polyethylene.
... This article explains photo-oxidation degradation (the behaviour of polymers as a result of outdoor factors) and emphasizes mainly on the photo-oxidative degradation of poly (vinyl) chloride and polyolefins. Polymer photo stabilization with ultraviolet screeners, quenchers, hydro peroxide decomposers, and radical scavengers is also described [9][10][11][12]. ...
In this research work high density polyethylene (HDPE) and silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) were studied. Samples having 0-10 % composition variation were prepared by injection molding. HDPE and Sio2 NPs constituents were combined at microscopic level and they are insoluble into each other. This phase is called as “Reinforcing” Phase. Soft and ductile phase is called Matrix phase. Matrix phase provides base support to the reinforcing phase and it is protecting the reinforcing phase from the hot environment against the degradation of Polymer Matrix Composites (PMC). Silica dioxide Particle in the form of powder was examined by Electron microscopic method (46.69% silica &53.31% oxygen) with size 2-20 nm. It has large specific surface area/surface energy. Sample of HDPE/SiO2 NPs composites were characterized by mechanical and thermal analysis. It was concluded that the including the SiO2 NPs into HDPE resulted in higher tensile and flexural properties. It has increased the impact strength of composite by 23.58% (5% by wt. addition of silica nanoparticles) and 46.42% (10% by wt. addition of silica nanoparticles).
