Towards Circular Economy by Valorization of Waste Upholstery Textile Fibers in Fibrous Wood-Based Composites Production

Abstract

The aim of the research was to utilize textile waste by adding upholstery fabric fibers with different content (0%, 5%, 10%, and 20% by weight referred to dry wood fibers), to HDF boards and analyze the selected physical and mechanical properties of the obtained boards. Tests of mechanical (modulus of elasticity in bending and of bending strength, surface soundness, internal bond, screw withdrawal resistance) and physical (density profile, swelling in thickness after immersion in water, water absorption) properties were performed. The results show, that the increasing content of textile fibers in HDF panels has the strongest negative influence on mechanical properties, especially internal bond, and screw withdrawal resistance. Modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture also decrease, but still fulfill the requirements of European standards. No significant influence of raising content of textile fibers on HDF thickness swelling and water absorption has been found. It can be concluded, that, depending on further application of HDF, it is possible to utilize the recovered upholstery textile fibers as an addition to wood fibers when producing HDF panels. It is also a step toward the carbon storage extension, which is fixed in textile fibers. Statement of Novelty The present work intends to prove the potential of upcycling the waste upholstery textile fibers by elaborating on MDF-type boards as a high value-added alternative to the current management of this kind of textile waste; this represents a cascading and added-value of this fibrous material in a circular economy, as it generates a new products. The results have shown the high competitiveness of these waste upholstery textile fibrous materials for the production of MDF-type boards.