Thermal and sound insulation properties of recycled cotton/polyester chemical bonded nonwovens

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.