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.