Wood-composite panel factories are in shortage of raw materials; therefore, finding new sources of fibers is vital for sustainable production. The effects of chicken feathers, as a renewable source of natural fibers, on the physicomechanical properties of medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and particleboard panels were investigated here. Wollastonite was added to resin to compensate possible negative effects of chicken feathers. Only feathers of the bodies of chickens were added to composite matrix at 5% and 10% content, based on the dry weight of the raw material, particles or fibers. Results showed significant negative effects of 10%-feather content on physical and mechanical properties. However, feather content of 5% showed some promising results. Addition of wollastonite to resin resulted in the improvement of some physical and mechanical properties. Wollastonite acted as reinforcing filler in resin and improved some of the properties; therefore, future studies should be carried out on the reduction of resin content. Moreover, density functional theory (DFT) demonstrated the formation of new bonds between wollastonite and carbohydrate polymers in the wood cell wall. It was concluded that chicken feathers have potential in wood-composite panel production.

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We studied the effect of wollastonite nanofibers on fluid flow in medium-density fiberboard (MDF). Nanowollastonite (NW) was applied in MDF at 10 %, based on the dry weight of wood fibers. We also tested chicken feathers as an additive to the matrix at 5 and 10 % by weight. The weight of feathers was reduced from the wood fibers to keep the density of the panels constant (0.66 g cm -3 ). Wollastonite nanofibers acted as filler in the matrix and significantly decreased gas and liquid permeability. Higher thermal conductivity of the NW-treated MDF-mats resulted in a better cure of resin, and consequently more integrity in the composite-matrix and lower permeability. The water-repellant property of wollastonite also contributed to the decrease in liquid permeability. Feathers reduced gas and liquid permeability due to the hydrophobic nature of keratin, as well as its formation as a physical barrier towards passing of fluids. Ten percent feather content proved too high and some checks and cracks occurred in the core of the panels after hot-pressing. Panels with 5 %-feather content resulted in both lower fluid flow and adequate physical integrity in the core section of the MDF-matrix.