Towards circular economy by valorization of waste upholstery textile fibers in fibrous wood-based composites production

The aim of the research was to utilize textile waste by adding upholstery fabric fibers with different content (0, 5, 10, and 20% by weight referred to dry wood fibers) to high density fiberboards (HDF) and analyze selected physical and mechanical properties of the obtained boards. Tests of mechanical (modulus of elasticity in bending and bending strength, surface soundness, internal bond, screw withdrawal resistance) and physical (density profile, swelling in thickness after immersion in water, water absorption) properties were performed. The results show that the increasing content of textile fibers in HDF panels has the strongest negative influence on mechanical properties, especially internal bond, and screw withdrawal resistance. Modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture also decreased, but still fulfilled the requirements of European standards. No significant influence of rising content of textile fibers on HDF thickness swelling and water absorption has been found. It can be concluded that, depending on further application of HDF, it is possible to utilize the recovered upholstery textile fibers as a reasonable addition to wood fibers when producing HDF panels. It is also a step toward carbon storage extension, which is fixed in textile fibers.