<br/>Composites were developed from waste polyester and cotton textiles. Plasticization effectively reduced processing temperature and improved mechanical properties of composites. Every year, substantial quantities of textile wastes are disposed into landfills over the world, leading to environmental problems and waste of valuable materials. Recycling and reuse of textiles especially those containing colored non-degradable PET textiles remain technologically and economically challenging. In this research, composites of polyester and cotton were developed from waste polyester and cotton textiles. Effects of plasticization on compression molding process and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. With plasticization, melting temperature of polyester was reduced by up to 20 °C, leading to decreased processing temperature and improved mechanical properties of relevant polyester/cotton composites. Degree of polymerization, morphology and other properties of cotton after processed at different temperatures were analyzed and correlated with the performance properties of composites. It could be predicted that, waste cotton and polyester textiles might be effectively reused via compression molding with plasticization.

Compression molded composites from waste polyester and cotton textiles

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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