Valorization of Textile Waste in Laminated Fabric Reinforced Cementitious Matrix Plates: Tensile and Durability Characterization

A gradual transition of the linear economy towards a circular economy model, where recycling and reusing are the basis, has been widely encouraged in all sectors for guaranteeing a sustainable future. In this sense, the utilization of textile residues, largely-available waste with a high potentiality of reusing, as reinforcement in inorganic matrices could valorize waste recycling in construction industries. In the present study, cement-based composite panels reinforced with nonwoven fabric layers recovered from textile wastes, both end-of-life fashion and fire-protecting clothing, were investigated. The mechanical (through the uniaxial tensile test) and durability (through forced aging of wet-dry and freeze-thaw cycles) properties of the developed sandwich-like fabric cement boards were assessed. The results demonstrated promising tensile resistance (up to 7 MPa with strain capacity up to 8%) and fracture toughness (up to 50 kJ/m²) for the unaged panels, suitable for the projected applications such as façade cladding panels, pavement slabs, or internal panel walls. Regarding durability, although the post-cracking performance of both recycled textile composites (specifically those from fashion garments) in wet-dry conditions was degraded due to the fibers’ embrittlement, substituting partial Portland cement with silica fume (up to 30%) could enhance the behavior by 50%.