Valorização de resíduos têxteis e madeira na produção de compósitos sustentáveis

Abstract

The growing demand for sustainable materials has driven the development of composites with lower environmental impact, prioritizing the efficient use of resources and waste reduction. In this context, plant fibers and lignocellulosic materials stand out as promising alternatives to synthetic reinforcements due to their wide availability, low cost, biodegradability, and satisfactory mechanical properties. At the same time, the significant increase in textile waste generation and its inadequate disposal have intensified environmental impacts, highlighting the need for strategies that promote its reuse. In this scenario, the present study proposes the production of sustainable composites (particleboards) through the incorporation of shredded textile waste (STW) and wood particles (Pine), using a bio-based polyurethane resin. The experimental design was structured with different proportions of STW (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%), allowing the evaluation of the influence of waste content on the material properties. The results indicated that increasing the STW fraction promoted changes in the composite microstructure, with increased porosity and void content. Although density remained stable, higher water absorption and thickness swelling were observed, along with a reduction in mechanical properties at higher waste contents. Thermal conductivity did not show significant variations among treatments, maintaining the insulating characteristics of the composites. On the other hand, the increased porosity contributed to improved acoustic performance, highlighting the potential of these materials for non-structural applications, especially as thermal and acoustic insulating materials. Therefore, the study demonstrates the feasibility of reusing textile waste in the production of sustainable materials aligned with the principles of the circular economy.