Investigation on the role of preform architecture on the property performance of recycled cotton-based engineered eco-composites

This research used cotton fibres extracted from waste textiles (shoddy) and cotton shoddy-based yarn to produce nine distinct preforms. This study aims to develop different preform architectures using cotton shoddy web, cotton shoddy-based yarn, and their epoxy composites for different applications. The developed composite’s mechanical, thermogravimetric, and water absorption properties were characterised for understanding their applicability in structural materials. The composites with cotton shoddy web sandwiched between waste cotton yarn-based unidirectional structures (WbUD) have ~ 26 and ~ 72% higher flexural and izod impact strength than composite reinforced with cotton shoddy web (SH) alone. Meanwhile, the tensile strength of SH and WbUD was approximately the same. Compared to SH, the composites with a cotton shoddy web sandwiched between woven fabrics made of waste cotton yarns (WbUD) do not exhibit enhancement in mechanical properties. The composite with cotton web sandwiched between hybrid woven fabrics has tensile, flexural, and izod impact strengths of 74, ~ 68, and ~ 537% higher than SH. The composite laminates exhibit notably lower equilibrium water content than SH. The developed composites are green materials and can be used to produce various components for building and construction, furniture materials, and automotive applications.