Use of Textile Fiber Waste to Improve the Thermal and Mechanical Performance of Cement-Based Mortar

AbstractImproving the thermal properties of materials used in buildings is crucial to reducing energy demand and consumption. This study investigated the use of textile fiber waste in cement-based composites for construction applications. Mechanical and thermal characterizations were carried out to assess the behavior of cement mortars with different percentages of two types of textile fibers after 7 and 28 days of water hardening. The results show that the incorporation of fibers can significantly improve the thermal insulation capacity of buildings by reducing the thermal conductivity of cement mortar by up to 52%. In addition, the use of textile fibers can improve the mechanical strength of the cement mortar, especially with a high fiber content and a longer curing time.