A waste textiles-based multilayer composite fabric with superior electromagnetic shielding, infrared stealth and flame retardance for military applications.

[Display omitted] • A low-cost multifunctional fabric was made from waste cotton fabrics and carbon fibers. • The multifunctional composite fabric shows excellent X-band EMI rating of 82.63 dB. • The multifunctional composite fabric possesses outstanding infrared stealth property. • The multifunctional composite fabric has outstanding flame-retardant property. The challenge of developing multifunctional military tent fabrics with low-cost, stable electromagnetic shielding and infrared stealth in complicated environments is enormous. Herein, a novel aluminium-flammability carbonized waste cotton-carbon felt (A-FCWCF) composite fabric consisting of hydrophobic flame-retardant fabric, carbonized waste cotton felt and carbon fiber felt was prepared via a simple yet low-cost stitching process. The resulting composite fabric was extensively investigated for its stability and applicability in a complicated environment. Due to the significant conductivity and impedance mismatches, the A-FCWCF composite fabric displayed exceptional EMI-shielding properties, plus an X-band EMI rating of 82.63 dB. Moreover, the A-FCWCF composite fabric presented excellent infrared stealth performance at room and extremely cold outdoor temperatures, owing to its high porosity and low emissivity. The functional finishing on the A-FCWCF composite fabric also made it stable flame retardate and hydrophobic. Furthermore, the EMI-shielding and infrared stealth performances of A-FCWCF composite fabric were almost unaffected even if subjected to environmental stability, mechanical properties and weather resistance tests, making it a promising candidate for tough natural environments. Overall, this low-cost and simple preparation strategy of multi-layer stitched multifunctional fabric can revolutionize the production of military materials, improving functionality even in the most complex environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]