Human Hair: A Biodegradable Composite Fiber–A Review

Abstract

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 human hair fibers are wasted in India annually; hence they pose an environmental challenge. In order to find commercial application the wasted human hair fibre is nowadays finding its use in the field of material science. Human hair is basically a nano-composite biological fiber with well characterized microstructures. Different techniques and technologies have been employed to study the different characteristics of the human hair to prove it a biological composite fiber. The main component of hair is keratin which is tough, insoluble and incredibly strong. An important aspect is that a single strand of hair can withstand the load of 100-150 grams. Hair is elastic and it is capable of regaining its original position on removal of the deformation load. Therefore, the present review paper reports the current scenario of human hair as biological composite fiber and its application in various fields.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON CONCRETE REINFORCED With HUMAN AND HORSE HAIR FIBERS

“…Human hair is a material considered useless in most societies and therefore is found in municipal waste stream in almost all cities and towns of the world [1], [10]. In 2010, India alone exported approximately 1 million kg of human hair and its products worth US $ 238 million, and total global imports were valued at US $ 1.24 billion [2]. Hair is used as a fiber reinforcing material in concrete for its high tensile strength, can minimize an environmental problem, to control plastic shrinkage and dry shrinkage cracking, to lower the permeability of concrete, very low cost and to prevents it from spalling [1], [9].…”

Penetration study of oils and its formulations into the human hair using confocal microscopy

“…Human hair consists of cuticle, cortex, and medulla. Hair is a protein filament that grows from the follicles present in the dermis . Applying oil on hair can enhance lubrication of the shaft and help to prevent the hair breakage.…”

“…Hair is a protein filament that grows from the follicles present in the dermis. 14 Applying oil on hair can enhance lubrication of the shaft and help to prevent the hair breakage. Deposition of oil on the hair has a beneficial protective effect.…”

Preparação de cabelo caucasiano como material carbonoso

“…De acordo com a Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas (ABNT) 12 , o cabelo pode ser classificado como resíduo não perigoso, classe II B-Inerte, encontrado em efluentes ou em resíduos urbanos 13 .…”