Experimental analysis and development of sustainable composites from waste cotton/coffee husk/sawdust for thermal insulating materials

This study investigates the creation and characterization of sustainable composite materials derived from waste cotton, coffee husk, and sawdust. The composites were manufactured using a compression molding technique with different blend ratios: CFS1, CFS2, and CFS7 (66.667% and 16.667%), CFS3 (33.3...

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Main Authors: Babu Manikam, Jesudas Thangaraju, Matheswaran Manoharan, Yohannes Admassu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/15589250251342869
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author Babu Manikam
Jesudas Thangaraju
Matheswaran Manoharan
Yohannes Admassu
author_facet Babu Manikam
Jesudas Thangaraju
Matheswaran Manoharan
Yohannes Admassu
author_sort Babu Manikam
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the creation and characterization of sustainable composite materials derived from waste cotton, coffee husk, and sawdust. The composites were manufactured using a compression molding technique with different blend ratios: CFS1, CFS2, and CFS7 (66.667% and 16.667%), CFS3 (33.333%), and CFS4, CFS5, and CFS6 (100%). The mechanical, thermal, and physical properties of these composites were evaluated following ASTM standards. Thermal conductivity was determined using the ASTM C177 guarded-hot-plate method, assessing the materials’ potential as thermal insulators. According to EN ISO 10456, materials with a thermal conductivity (λ) below 0.06 W/(mK) are classified as effective thermal insulators. The thermal performance of the samples was tested over a temperature range of 0°C–600°C. The findings revealed that the composite made of equal proportions of cotton fiber (33.33%), coffee husk (33.33%), and sawdust (33.33%) exhibited the best thermal insulation performance, with a thermal conductivity of 0.048 W/(mK) and an insulation value of 0.052%. Additionally, the thickness of the composites significantly affected their performance, with thicker samples demonstrating superior thermal insulation properties. The waste-based composites also displayed exceptional moisture resistance under high-humidity conditions, maintaining their insulation efficiency. This study underscores the potential of utilizing waste fibers as reinforcement materials, offering both environmental sustainability and economic benefits, particularly for rural communities. The results provide a strong foundation for the development of innovative and eco-friendly thermal insulation materials.
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spelling doaj-art-55dcbfd99d604a75a0817a998be8829a2025-08-20T03:31:23ZengSAGE PublishingJournal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics1558-92502025-06-012010.1177/15589250251342869Experimental analysis and development of sustainable composites from waste cotton/coffee husk/sawdust for thermal insulating materialsBabu Manikam0Jesudas Thangaraju1Matheswaran Manoharan2Yohannes Admassu3Department of Mechanical Engineering, Mahendira Engineering College, Namakkal, Tamilnadu, IndiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Mahendira Engineering College, Namakkal, Tamilnadu, IndiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Paavai Engineering College, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, IndiaDepartment of Garment Technology, Federal Technical, Vocational and Educational Training Institute, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaThis study investigates the creation and characterization of sustainable composite materials derived from waste cotton, coffee husk, and sawdust. The composites were manufactured using a compression molding technique with different blend ratios: CFS1, CFS2, and CFS7 (66.667% and 16.667%), CFS3 (33.333%), and CFS4, CFS5, and CFS6 (100%). The mechanical, thermal, and physical properties of these composites were evaluated following ASTM standards. Thermal conductivity was determined using the ASTM C177 guarded-hot-plate method, assessing the materials’ potential as thermal insulators. According to EN ISO 10456, materials with a thermal conductivity (λ) below 0.06 W/(mK) are classified as effective thermal insulators. The thermal performance of the samples was tested over a temperature range of 0°C–600°C. The findings revealed that the composite made of equal proportions of cotton fiber (33.33%), coffee husk (33.33%), and sawdust (33.33%) exhibited the best thermal insulation performance, with a thermal conductivity of 0.048 W/(mK) and an insulation value of 0.052%. Additionally, the thickness of the composites significantly affected their performance, with thicker samples demonstrating superior thermal insulation properties. The waste-based composites also displayed exceptional moisture resistance under high-humidity conditions, maintaining their insulation efficiency. This study underscores the potential of utilizing waste fibers as reinforcement materials, offering both environmental sustainability and economic benefits, particularly for rural communities. The results provide a strong foundation for the development of innovative and eco-friendly thermal insulation materials.https://doi.org/10.1177/15589250251342869
spellingShingle Babu Manikam
Jesudas Thangaraju
Matheswaran Manoharan
Yohannes Admassu
Experimental analysis and development of sustainable composites from waste cotton/coffee husk/sawdust for thermal insulating materials
Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics
title Experimental analysis and development of sustainable composites from waste cotton/coffee husk/sawdust for thermal insulating materials
title_full Experimental analysis and development of sustainable composites from waste cotton/coffee husk/sawdust for thermal insulating materials
title_fullStr Experimental analysis and development of sustainable composites from waste cotton/coffee husk/sawdust for thermal insulating materials
title_full_unstemmed Experimental analysis and development of sustainable composites from waste cotton/coffee husk/sawdust for thermal insulating materials
title_short Experimental analysis and development of sustainable composites from waste cotton/coffee husk/sawdust for thermal insulating materials
title_sort experimental analysis and development of sustainable composites from waste cotton coffee husk sawdust for thermal insulating materials
url https://doi.org/10.1177/15589250251342869
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AT matheswaranmanoharan experimentalanalysisanddevelopmentofsustainablecompositesfromwastecottoncoffeehusksawdustforthermalinsulatingmaterials
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