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Abstract:
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Industrial solid waste disposal has become a serious problem in most industrialized
nations. Increasing level of solid waste combined with reduced waste management
alternatives have heightened interest in recycling, especially in the plastics sector. Polyester
accounts for 75 % of the synthetic fibers produced in the world, and is easily recycled into
textile fibers using current direct remelting and chemical regeneration technologies.
There has been little research to determine how parameters such as blend level,
denier, and recycling method affect morphology, physical properties, and dye uptake of
textile fibers. This thesis investigated these relationships to fill in the knowledge gap that
impedes the wide-scale use of recycled polymers in textile applications.
To determine the effects of blend level, denier and recycling method, eighteen fiber
conditions were produced, representing all variable combinations. Fibers wert~ subjected to a
variety of tests to determine molecular weight, thermal properties, morphological properties,
physical properties and dyeing behavior.
While this study raised many more questions than it answered, the following general
conclusions were made:
1. No loss of strength was observed in fibers with addition of the recycled
polymers used in this research.
2. Fibers containing recycled polyester exhibited an increased sensitivity to
oxidative degradation.
3. Fibers containing recycled polyester dyed darker.
Based on this research, it is recommended that further study be conducted in a more
controlled spinning environment.
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