Currently, the need to ensure adequate quality of air inside the living space but also the thermal efficiency of buildings is pressing. This paper presents the capacity of sheep wool heat-insulating mattresses to simultaneously provide these needs, cumulatively analyzing efficiency indicators for thermal insulation and indicators of improving air quality. Thus, the values obtained for the coefficient of thermal conductivity, and its resistance to heat transfer, demonstrate the suitability of their use for thermal insulation. The results of the permeability to water vapor characteristics on the sorption/desorption of water, air, demonstrate the ability to control the humidity of the indoor air and the results on the reduction of the concentration of formaldehyde, demonstrating their contribution to the growth of the quality of the air, and to reduce the risk of disease in the population.
The current context provides, worldwide, the need to identify solutions for the thermal efficiency of constructions, through sustainable and innovative methods and products. A viable solution is to produce thermal insulating products by carding-folding technology, using natural fibres and recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) and polyester (rPES) waste, converted to fibres. This paper presents experimental results obtained after testing several thermal insulation composite products produced using a mix of sheep wool, cellulose, rPET and rPES fibres. The results of the research demonstrate the thermal insulation properties but, at the same time, identify the benefits of using such materials on the quality of the air in the interior space (the ability to adjust humidity and reduce the concentration of harmful substances). At the same time, the advantages of using sheep wool composite mattresses concerning their resistance to insect attack is demonstrated when compared with ordinary thermal insulation materials. Finally, sensitivity elements of these composites are observed in terms of sensitivity to mould, and to contact with water or soil, drawing future research directions in the development of this type of materials.
Having in view the sustainable development context, the textile sector represents a strong pillar of the Romanian
manufacturing industry, which is able to contribute to the valorization of natural indigenous raw materials. The paper
presents economic aspects in the base of the results obtained through developing/ implementing a research project
financed by the National Sectorial Program, coordinated by the Romanian Ministry of Research and Innovation, aiming
to establish strategic solutions for capitalization of Romanian coarse wool fibers. There are emphasized the project’s
results obtained by the collaboration of three important actors from research activity and economic environment: the
National Research and Development Institute for Textiles and Leather – INCDTP Bucharest, the only R&D Institute in
Romania, SC MINET SA Company, Râmnicu Vâlcea county – a representative manufacturing company for nonwoven
materials and the Research Institute for Sheep and Goats Breeding, Palas, Constanța county, partners in the consortium
coordinated by the National Research and Development Institute in Constructions, Urban Planning and Sustainable
Spatial Development URBAN-INCERC Bucharest.
The wool processing sector in Romania experienced a regression in terms of fiber quality after 1989, caused by a combination of factors: uncontrolled crossbreeding, low area and low quality pastures and lack of support for sheep breeders. As a result, the spin ability limit of the Romanian wool has decreased, as well as the possibility of using it in the textile industry, in the conditions of increasing demand for fine fabrics and knitwear, leading to the closure of many traditional textile companies and the use of imported wool. Under these circumstances, the use of the Romanian wool for related fields such as construction is much more important, as an efficient and viable alternative for recovery and an alternative for revitalization of several economic sectors. The paper presents aspects regarding the textile valorization of the thick Romanian wool varieties in order to produce materials with the role of insulation and sealing, in the field of eco-friendly constructions.
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