Sheep horn composite for car bumpers: Researchers report high impact strength, target ABS replacement

Researchers in Bengaluru are testing a composite made from sheep horn and polymer resin as a possible replacement for carbon fiber and ABS plastic in vehicle parts. They report an impact strength of about 276 kJ/m2, which they say is above typical carbon-fiber epoxy composites. A patent has been filed, and the work is backed by AICTE's Lab to Market programme to explore use in automotive bumpers. The idea is to treat sheep horn as an engineered material rather than waste, and to use nature-inspired structures for lighter, impact-resistant components. The team has also studied designs based on tortoise shells, bamboo, and walnut shells. Still, the material is at an early stage. More work is needed on durability, manufacturing feasibility, and real-world performance before it becomes a commercial option.