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Papers
61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Production and Characterization of Waste Mask Reinforced Polyester Composite
ClearMechanical characterizations of waste face masks reinforced polyester composites: Recycling wastes into resources
Researchers explored recycling discarded face masks into composite materials by combining shredded mask fibers with polyester resin. The resulting composites showed promising mechanical strength comparable to natural fiber alternatives, suggesting that waste face masks could be repurposed rather than ending up as microplastic pollution in the environment.
Property assessment of an eco-friendly mortar reinforced with recycled mask fiber derived from COVID-19 single-use face masks
Researchers developed an eco-friendly mortar reinforced with recycled polypropylene fibers from COVID-19 single-use face masks, demonstrating a practical approach to repurposing pandemic waste while reducing environmental microplastic contamination.
Reutilizing Single-Use Surgical Face Masks to Improve the Mechanical Properties of Concrete: A Feasibility Study
Researchers investigated reutilizing single-use surgical face masks as a material to improve the mechanical properties of construction or composite materials. The study demonstrates a potential upcycling pathway for pandemic-generated mask waste, converting a pollution problem into a resource.
Study of Recycling Potential of FFP2 Face Masks and Characterization of the Plastic Mix-Material Obtained. A Way of Reducing Waste in Times of Covid-19
Researchers showed that FFP2 face masks can be mechanically recycled without pre-sorting their composite materials, producing a polymer blend with thermal and mechanical properties comparable to recycled polypropylene — offering a practical route to divert pandemic mask waste from the environment.
Incorporation of Disposed Face Mask to Cement Mortar Material: An Insight into the Dynamic Mechanical Properties
Researchers incorporated shredded waste face masks into cement mortar mixes at varying proportions, evaluating the mechanical and durability properties of the resulting composite. Adding mask material at low proportions reduced compressive strength moderately but improved energy absorption, suggesting face mask waste could be valorized as a construction material additive.
Effective recycling of disposable medical face masks for sustainable green concrete via a new fiber hybridization technique
Researchers recycled disposable medical face masks by shredding them into fibers and hybridizing them with basalt fibers in recycled aggregate concrete, finding that the combined fiber approach improved compressive strength by 12%, tensile strength by 26%, and flexural strength by 60% compared to unmodified concrete — meeting structural requirements while diverting mask waste from landfills.
Recycling of Polymer Components From Waste Face Masks for Asphalt Modification: A Mini Review
Polymer components recovered from waste face masks (a major source of plastic waste since the COVID-19 pandemic) were recycled and incorporated into new materials. The study supports developing circular recycling pathways for the large volume of disposable mask plastic that otherwise risks fragmenting into microplastics.
Green Recycling and Long-Term Immobilization of Disposable Medical Masks for Enhanced Mechanical Performance of Self-Compacting Recycled Concrete
Researchers proposed an eco-friendly strategy to repurpose discarded COVID-era medical masks as fiber reinforcement in self-compacting recycled aggregate concrete. Mask-derived polypropylene fibers improved tensile strength and reduced brittleness while providing an environmentally responsible disposal route for pandemic plastic waste.
Analysis of the effect of using Covid-19 medical mask waste with polypropylene on the compressive strength and split tensile strength of high-performance concrete
Researchers analyzed the effect of incorporating shredded Covid-19 medical mask waste (polypropylene fibers) into high-performance concrete mixes, testing the impact on compressive strength and splitting tensile strength at multiple fiber addition levels. The study found that sterilized and cut mask fibers can function as reinforcement in concrete, offering an innovative approach to managing the large volume of pandemic-generated plastic mask waste.
Physical and mechanical properties of fly ash‐based geopolymer with disposable medical mask reinforcement
This study incorporated shredded disposable medical masks as reinforcing fibers in fly ash-based geopolymer materials, testing physical and mechanical properties of the resulting composites. The approach offers a way to divert PPE waste from landfills while potentially improving construction material performance.
Effect of Waste Mask Fabric Scraps on Strength and Moisture Susceptibility of Asphalt Mixture with Nano-Carbon-Modified Filler
Researchers tested the effects of incorporating waste mask fabric scraps and nano-carbon-modified filler into hot mix asphalt mixtures at 0.3% and 0.5% by weight. The combined additions improved tensile strength and fatigue resistance while offering a constructive disposal pathway for pandemic-era mask waste.
Repurposing the disposable face masks in hot mix asphalt: Enhancing pavement performance and addressing plastic waste pollution
Researchers investigated repurposing shredded single-use polypropylene face masks as an additive in hot mix asphalt, evaluating improvements to mechanical performance of the pavement while simultaneously addressing the surge in disposable mask waste generated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Regenerated Cellulose-based Composite Strengthened with Post-consumer Polyester Garments
Researchers developed regenerated cellulose-based composite materials reinforced with shredded post-consumer polyester garments, demonstrating a method for recycling textile waste that would otherwise be landfilled or incinerated into value-added structural composite products.
Mechanical Recycling of Disposable Protective Masks
Disposable face masks — a major source of pandemic-era plastic waste — were mechanically recycled through extrusion to assess whether their polypropylene layers retain useful material properties. The study found that mechanical recycling had only minor effects on thermal properties, suggesting masks could be diverted from landfill and reprocessed into raw material, reducing the chance that mask fibers fragment into environmental microplastics.
Enhancing Concrete Strength with Recycled Disposable Face Mask Fibers: A Novel Approach to Sustainable Construction
Researchers developed a novel method to recycle disposable face masks (DFMs) from the COVID-19 pandemic by converting them into reinforcing fibers for concrete, addressing both medical plastic waste accumulation and microplastic pollution risks from discarded masks. The recycled mask fibers, added to concrete mixtures after a preliminary treatment process, were found to enhance the structural strength properties of the resulting composite material.
Applicability of Face Masks as Recyclable Raw Materials for Self-Made Insulation Panels
Researchers tested whether used surgical face masks could be repurposed as building insulation panels. The study suggests that mask-based panels perform well as thermal insulators, show acceptable fire resistance and water vapor permeability, and could offer a low-cost way to improve indoor comfort while keeping plastic waste out of landfills.
An Investigation into the Behavior of Disposable Face Masks in Modified Bitumen for Sustainable Transportation Pathways
Researchers tested disposable face mask ash as an additive to bitumen at 5-20% by weight for use in road construction, finding that the PEN 60/70 grade bitumen showed improved asphalt properties, suggesting COVID-era mask waste could be repurposed as a sustainable road-building material.
Alternative Waste Characterization and Its Functional Reuse in Cement-Based Composites
Researchers found that during COVID-19, people threw away more face masks and consumed more tea, so they tested mixing these waste materials into cement to make building materials. Adding small amounts of masks and tea waste to cement can help reduce waste while still making strong enough construction materials. This approach could help solve the growing problem of pandemic-related waste while creating useful building supplies.
Face Mask Wastes as Cementitious Materials: A Possible Solution to a Big Concern
Researchers investigated the use of waste surgical masks as a cementitious additive in mortars without pretreatment, addressing the dual problem of pandemic-era mask waste and microplastic contamination. The study evaluated the mechanical and environmental performance of mortars incorporating mask materials as part of circular economy waste management.
Innovative Use of Single-Use Face Mask Fibers for the Production of a Sustainable Cement Mortar
Researchers recycled disposable face masks into polypropylene fibers and added them to cement mortar, finding that small amounts improved the mortar's strength and crack resistance. The recycling process included full disinfection of the mask material before processing. This approach could help address the massive waste from single-use masks while creating a useful construction material, turning pandemic waste into a resource.
Mechanical behavior of sands reinforced with shredded face masks
Researchers added shredded COVID-19 face masks to sand samples and found that the plastic fiber inclusions substantially improved undrained shear strength, with longer mask strips and lower confining stress producing the greatest gains, suggesting masks could serve as a low-cost soil reinforcement material.
A Safe Collection Process of Covid-19 Disposable Face Masks for the Applications in Asphalt Pavements
This study developed a theoretical collection and processing pathway for disposable COVID-19 face masks to enable their use as a material in asphalt pavement. The pandemic generated massive quantities of mask waste, which contains polypropylene microplastics; the proposed approach offers a way to divert this waste from landfills while making use of its material properties.
Review of the valorization options for the proper disposal of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic
Researchers reviewed waste management options for the surge in discarded polypropylene face masks during COVID-19, finding that improper disposal contributes directly to microplastic pollution, and proposing valorization strategies — including energy recovery and material upcycling — tailored to country-level infrastructure and emergency conditions.
Face Masks to Combat Coronavirus (COVID-19)—Processing, Roles, Requirements, Efficacy, Risk and Sustainability
This review examines the materials, manufacturing methods, and effectiveness of face masks used during the COVID-19 pandemic, most of which are made from non-biodegradable plastics like polypropylene and polyester. Researchers found that while masks are effective at reducing virus transmission, their widespread use and improper disposal have created a significant environmental concern as they break down into microplastics. The study calls for more sustainable mask materials and better waste management strategies to reduce the environmental footprint of pandemic-related plastic waste.