Development of non-woven from recycled fabric selvedge wastes for functional sound absorption

ABSTRACT

Reasons for recycling of waste include conservation of resources, reduction in the need for landfills, paying associated tipping fees and provision of low-cost raw materials for products. A high-speed weaving machine generates a high amount of selvedge wastes. In this study, stitch-bonded non-woven samples were developed by recycling woven fabric selvedge wastes. Selvedge wastes were collected from the weaving department and changed to fibre by using a fabric opener. The fibres are carded by a mechanical carding machine. Non-woven samples were developed, and sound absorption coefficients were measured by an impedance tube according to the ASTM E 1050 standard. The test result shows that the sound absorption coefficient increased with an increasing frequency level of 0 Hz, 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 1500 Hz, 2000 Hz, 2500 Hz and 3000 Hz. The sound absorption property of all stitch-bonded samples was increased with increasing frequency. Similarly, the sound-absorbing property also increases with the increase in the thickness. The larger the density, the higher the number of fibres per unit area. Structures with less density and open pores absorb the sound with a low frequency of 500 Hz. Structures with high fibre density have better absorbency for frequency levels above 2000 Hz. The air permeability property of the developed sample decreases the sound-absorbing performance.

KEYWORDS:

• Absorption coefficient
• acoustics
• non-woven
• selvedge recycling
• sound absorption
• stitch-bonding

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the Ethiopian Institute of Textile and Fashion Design Technology and Wolkite University Textile Engineering Department, Ethiopia.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability

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Additional information

Notes on contributors

Temesggen Feleke Fera

Temesggen Feleke Fera received his BSc and MSc degree in Textile Engineering and Textile Manufacturing from the Ethiopian Institute of Textile and Fashion Technology, Ethiopia. He is currently a senior lecturer at the Department of Textile Engineering, Wolkite University (WKU), Ethiopia. His research interests include; Textile production, Textile waste recycling, Technical textiles, Textile composites, Waste management, Product development, and Additive manufacturing. The author is a reviewer for international journals and published research articles.

Yerdaw Zeleke

Yerdaw Zeleke is currently working in the Department of Textile Engineering, Wolkite University, Ethiopia. He completed his BSc and MSc degree in Textile Manufacturing and Textile Manufacturing from Ethiopian Institute of Textile and Fashion Technology, Ethiopia. His research interest includes; Textile Manufacturing, Composite materials, Functional composites, Textile Materials, Technical textiles, and Engineering materials. He participated on so many scientific conferences and presented papers. The author is a reviewer for international journals and published research articles.

Yohannes Girmay

Yohaness Girmay is an active academic staff in department of Fashion Design, Wolkite University, Ethiopia. He received his BSc and MSc degree from the Ethiopian Institute of Textile and Fashion Technology in Fashion Design and Fashion Technology. His research interest includes; Fashion Designing, Traditional Fabric modification, Product development, and design, and Influences on the fashion industry and future fashion. He is a reviewer, advisor, and published research articles.