Evaluation of recycled textile wastes with E-glass fabric in bio-based epoxy matrix composites: investigation of the mechanical properties

The goal of this study is to recycle diverse textile wastes and use them as cutting-edge and sustainable raw materials in composite structures. In the context of the study, vacuum infusion technology was used to manufacture epoxy and acrylated epoxidized soybean oil-based composites utilizing E-glass fabric and various textile wastes (denim fabric, pantyhose, and human hair). These hybrid composites’ physical (thickness, density, and fiber weight ratio) and mechanical (Charpy impact resistance, drop-weight impact resistance, and tensile and bending strengths) characteristics were investigated. While the results indicate that the hair-reinforced composites demonstrate superior damping capabilities with an absorption rate of 82% and absorb 16.51 J of energy, the polyamide reinforced composites with 204.68 MPa are the best substitute for E-glass reinforced composites in terms of tensile strength. Because of their poor fiber–matrix interface, cotton-reinforced composites performed the worst in all mechanical studies, with the exception of flexural strength. In many applications, where E-glass/epoxy composites are used, particularly in the construction or automotive industries, it is envisaged that sustainable composite constructions developed using waste fibers can provide an alternative.