Development and characterization of hybrid green composites from textile waste

Abstract

The current study focused on the use of textile industry waste (cotton and jute) and glass fabric for the development of hybrid composites. Composites were fabricated using either a single reinforcement or different fractions of cotton, jute and glass fabric. A good fibre-matrix interface was observed using Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM). The mechanical performance of the developed composites was analyzed under certain loads. The tensile and flexural properties of the composites developed from waste material was found lower as compared to the glass fiber composites, while hybrid composites had comparable properties. Regression equations were also developed to predict the mechanical properties of the hybrid composites. The results revealed that, after some pre-treatment (mercerization and desizing) textile waste materials can be used with virgin material in reinforcement part of composite to decrease the cost but with optimum mechanical properties. This usage of textile waste will be helpful for its value addition and solving the waste disposal problems.