Mild Steel Tribology for Circular Economy of Textile Industries

Circular economy is still an imaginary field. In this manuscript, mild steel material is used to evaluate the coefficient of friction (COF) of cotton fabric. COF is evaluated to facilitate circular economy of textile industries. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), optical profilometer, mechanical profilometer and tribometer were used for AISI 52100 steel balls and cotton textile waste. The fabric surface was found distorted and damaged due to joggling, bobs, jerks, and pills surface defects. These defects produced due to physical and chemical treatments. The average coating surface roughness parameters were Rmax (0.35 µm), Rz (0.50 µm), and Rp (0.45). The dynamic coefficient of friction (COF) values was found 0.21 to 0.12 in warp and 0.17 to 0.10 in weft directions. The tensile strength and hardness values of mild steel 2600 MPa and 65 on HRC, respectively proved that metallic surface is smooth and soft. The smaller COF values and soft metallic surface produced low grip and cutting resistance due to damaged and distorted textile wastes. Based on COF values, deformation, wear and morphology evaluations, the mild steel machinery parts could be used operationally for recycling of textile wastes. for surface alterations of textile machinery parts. Furthermore, damaged, and distorted post-consumer textile wastes required hard, high strength and well finished machinery parts surfaces for its recycling.