Adhesion characteristics between keratin fibers and unsaturated polyester

Abstract

This work presents the methods and results employed to find the adhesion characteristics between keratin fibers and unsaturated polyester as matrix material. The fibers were conditioned prior to testing using four different methods in order to establish the effect of these treatments on the adhesion to the matrix by means of i) monofilament pull-out testing, as direct method; and ii) Lamina tensile tests as indirect method to analyze the adhesion in the fracture zone with the help of electron microscopy (SEM).