Abstract: The present work is an attempt to develop bio-based hybrid composites by incorporating Betel nut Fiber (BF) and Chicken feather Fiber (CF) at diferent ratios in modifed soybean oil matrix by compression molding technique. The ratio of the fber and resin was taken as 30:70. Epoxidised soybean oil (ESO) was modifed by using methacrylic acid and methacrylic anhydride. The ratio of CF and BF was varied from 2:1 to 1:2 respectively. The infuence of hybrid fbers and fber ratio on various properties of the composites was investigated. The obtained results showed that composites prepared with 1:1 ratio of CF and BF exhibited highest tensile strength compared to the other composites prepared by using diferent ratios of CF and BF. The surface morphology of the composites was studied by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), where surface roughness was found to be decreased after incorporation of hybrid fbers. Thermogravimetric analysis was carried out to study the behaviour of the composites at high temperature, where thermal stability was found to enhance for hybrid composites compared to the composites prepared with single fbers. Also properties like water vapour uptake capacity and volumetric swelling were measured and found to be decreased for the hybrid composites. An overall improvement in properties was observed for composites having 1:1 ratio of CF:BF. Hence, it is concluded that 1:1 weight ratio of CF and BF is the optimum mixing ratio to enhance the various properties of the hybrid composites.

Key words:  , Hybrid composites, Betel nut fber, Chicken feather fber, Mechanical properties, Thermal properties