Structure-property behavior of composites fabricated from waste cotton/polyester fabrics and their potential application in the furniture industry

This study presents a process for enhancing the recycling efficiency of waste CT/PET blend fabrics through their direct conversion into composites via hot-pressing, eliminating the need for additional resin. In addition, the influence of blend ratio and hot-pressing temperature on various composite properties has been investigated. The surface morphology, functional groups, and crystallization of the materials were characterized using depth-of-field microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and XRD, while composite panel properties were evaluated through thermal analysis, contact angle measurements, and tensile, flexural, and impact tests. Results demonstrated that CT/PET (cotton/polyester) composites progressively darkened with a yellowish hue during hot-pressing as temperature increased, accompanied by carbon dioxide and vapor release, while exhibiting enhanced thermal stability. The CT/PET composites displayed favorable mechanical properties, uniform color distribution, low water absorption, and improved thermal insulation. Compared to common commercial furniture materials, these composite panels possess superior mechanical performance, confirming their suitability for practical furniture applications.