Characterization of Thermal Properties of Pig Hair Fiber

ABSTRACT

Hair fiber is a key by-product of humane slaughter of pigs with considerable economic value. In the present study, we investigated the thermal properties of pig hair fiber using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The DSC curve showed a broad endotherm (around 50–80°C) initially, followed by denaturation doublet peaks (229°C and 239°C) and finally a pyrolysis endotherm. The melting enthalpy of pig hair fiber was 9.93 J/g on dry basis. During TGA, distinct phases of initial weight loss due to loss of moisture and later through thermal degradation of protein around 238–240°C were observed. Mean thermal insulation and conductivity values of pig hair fiber were 0.068 ± 0.004 m²K/W and 0.029 ± 0.003 W/m/K, respectively. The thermal characteristics of pig hair fiber were similar to other keratin fibers of animal origin.

摘要

毛发纤维是对猪进行人道屠宰的重要副产品，相当有经济价值。在本研究中，我们使用差示扫描量热法（DSC）和热重量分析（TGA）研究猪毛纤维的热性能。DSC曲线最初显示出宽泛的吸热范围（约50-80℃），然后显示变性双峰（229℃和239℃），最后显示热解吸热。猪毛纤维的熔化焓为9.93 J/g（干基）。在TGA期间，观察到水分损失和随后在 238-240℃附近的蛋白质热降解引起了不同阶段的初始重量减轻。猪毛纤维的平均保温值和电导率值分别为 0.068 ± 0.004 m²K/W和 0.029 ± 0.003 W/m/K。猪毛纤维的热特性与其他动物的角蛋白纤维相似。

KEYWORDS:

• Differential scanning calorimetry
• hair
• keratin fiber
• pig
• thermal conductivity
• thermogravimetric analysis

关键词:

• 差示扫描量热法
• 毛发
• 角蛋白纤维
• 猪
• 导热性
• 热重分析

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to Indian Council of Agricultural Research for funding the study. Authors are grateful to Dr. V.V. Ramamurthy, Division of Entomology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi for providing facilities for scanning electron microscopic studies. Mr. Sujoy Chakraborty is thanked for the assistance in thermal insulation analysis.