Abstract
This research paper reports a study on thermal and sound insulation samples developed from recycled cotton/polyester (recycled cotton/PET) for construction industry applications. The waste recycled cotton and polyester fiber is a potential source of raw material that can be considered for thermal and sound insulation applications, but its quantities are limited. While the quantities are limited, waste recycled cotton fiber was mixed with recycled/PET fiber in 50/50 proportions in the form of two-layer nonwoven mats with a chemical bonding method. The samples such as cotton (color and white), polyester (color and white), and cotton-polyester blend (color and white) were prepared. All the samples were tested for thermal insulation, sound absorption, moisture absorption, and fiber properties as per the ASTM standard. Also, behaviors of six recycled cotton/polyester nonwoven samples under high humidity conditions were evaluated. The sound absorption coefficients were measured according to ASTM E 1050 by an impedance tube method, the sound absorption coefficient over six frequencies 125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz were calculated. The result revealed that nonwoven mats that are prepared from recycled/PET/cotton waste have confirmed more than 70% of the sound absorption coefficient and the recycled nonwoven mats provided the best insulation, sound absorption, moisture absorption, and fiber properties. The recycled waste cotton/ polyester nonwoven mats have adequate moisture resistance at high humidity conditions without affecting the insulation and sound-absorbing properties.
Highlights
The concern over the environment-induced a large number of companies to start developing the manufacturing process using alternative materials for their products and seeking new markets
With the significant production of waste fibrous materials, different companies are looking for applications wherein waste materials may represent an added-value material[1,2,3,4,5] Thermal insulation plays an important role in contributing to the energy-saving in the building by heat gains and losses through the building envelop.[6]
A study was conducted on the sound absorbency of a knitted spacer fabric which can be applied to automotive interior parts and have the potential for greater sound absorbency than conventional plain knitted fabrics.[12,13]
Summary
The concern over the environment-induced a large number of companies to start developing the manufacturing process using alternative materials for their products and seeking new markets. The sound absorption coefficient of the recycled polyester nonwovens was determined by a two-microphone impedance measurement tube; the determination of the noise absorption coefficient is nothing more than the absorption energy rate of the material against the incidence energy They have determined the relationship between the acoustic absorption values measured and the nonwoven parameters including fiber properties and web properties.[9,10] Recycled materials exhibit good sound absorbing properties they are viable alternatives to conventional materials for practical applications.[11] A study was conducted on the sound absorbency of a knitted spacer fabric which can be applied to automotive interior parts and have the potential for greater sound absorbency than conventional plain knitted fabrics.[12,13] Nonwovens produced from recycled natural fibers blended with synthetic fibers have been tested acoustically and nonwoven bio-composites materials from agricultural wastes such as rice straw and sawdust have resulted in high sound absorption coefficients.[14] Recently noise absorbent textile materials, especially nonwoven structures or recycled materials, have been widely used because of the low production costs and they’re being aesthetically appealing.[15,16] Recycled polyester fiber is derived from the post-consumer waste of plastic bottles which are potential sources of raw material for reducing environmental pollution.[17] Biopolymer based composites have attracted the attention of researchers and industries due to their eco-friendliness and environmental sustainability, as well as their suitability for a number of applications. The sound absorption influencing factors such as thickness, density, air permeability, porosity, and thermal conductivity was measured according to the ASTM Standard and the purpose of construction industry applications
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