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The main objective of this study was to develop sustainable, comfort and cost-effective durable cut-resistant gloves using recycled para-aramid and cotton. Recycled para-aramid fibres were blended with cotton in different blend proportions of 90/10, 30/70, 50/50, 70/30 and spun into yarn of 29.5 tex. A 100% cotton yarn of similar fineness was also spun for comparative purposes. All the developed yarns were then knitted into seamless gloves of 250 g/m2. The gloves were tested for their performance properties such as cut-resistance, abrasion, limited flame spread, and contact heat resistance as per applicable EN & ISO standards. The gloves made from 70/30 recycled para-aramid and cotton showed better performance properties with level C cut resistance, level 4 limited flame spread and level 1 contact heat resistance. The knitted gloves were also analysed for air permeability, q max (Peak heat flux), and the Moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR). It is found that addition of cotton up to 30% in the gloves improved the q max and MVTR values without compromising the cut resistance properties. The longitudinal structural study of recycled para-aramid fibres using SEM showed flat and twisted structure with fibre breakage due to fibrillation and stress created during recycling compared cylindrical shape of virgin para-aramid fibre.

The utilization of copiously available bio-waste significantly contributes to sustainable development and solid waste management. In the present study, the pyrolytic extract of coconut shell bio-waste is evaluated as a plasticizer in carbon black filled styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) compared with conventionally used aromatic oil (AO) at varied levels of 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 phr. The pyrolysis of the coconut shell was accomplished in an inert environment using a tube furnace. The coconut shell oil (CSO) was evidenced to take part in the curing reaction increasing mechanical properties. Tensile strength increased to ~36% and tear strength by ~30%, which is attributed to the reactivity of CSO with sulfur. 1H NMR studies and the lower percentage of solvent extract for CSO filled vulcanizates confirmed the chemical interaction of CSO with sulfur and subsequent bonding to the rubber chain. The De Mattia flexing resistance showed a multi-fold improvement of 657% for CSO filled vulcanizates pertaining to enhanced internal lubrication and coherent movement of chemically bonded plasticizer with rubber chains under dynamic conditions. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated a shift in the onset of volatilization temperature from 250 °C to 370 °C upon replacement of AO with CSO showing enhanced thermal stability. Glass transition temperature was decreased by 5 °C at 40 phr plasticizer loading for CSO filled vulcanizates indicated better plasticization. CSO is a potential cost-effective, non–toxic, and sustainable alternative to the conventionally used petroleum-based aromatic oil as the plasticizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]