A review on the recycling of waste carbon fibre/glass fibre-reinforced composites: fibre recovery, properties and life-cycle analysis

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Abstract

The growing use of carbon and glass fibres has increased awareness about their waste disposal methods. Tonnes of composite waste containing valuable carbon fibres and glass fibres have been cumulating every year from various applications. These composite wastes must be cost-effectively recycled without causing negative environmental impact. This review article presents an overview of the existing methods to recycle the cumulating composite wastes containing carbon fibre and glass fibre, with emphasis on fibre recovery and understanding their retained properties. Carbon and glass fibres are assessed via focused topics, each related to a specific treatment method: mechanical recycling; thermal recycling, including fluidised bed and pyrolysis; chemical recycling and solvolysis using critical conditions. Additionally, a brief analysis of their environmental and economic aspects are discussed, prioritising the methods based on sustainable values. Finally, research gaps are identified to highlight the factors of circular economy and its significant role in closing the life-cycle loop of these valuable fibres into re-manufactured composites.

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Development of Recycling System for Fiber-Reinforced Plastics by Superheated Steam

Jian Shi, Shougo Wada, Kiyosi Kemmochi … (2011)

A recycling system was developed for the treatment of fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP) by superheated steam. The process was shown to be robust, coping with scrap of FRP and providing useful outputs in the form of recovered fibers and resin. In this study, glass FRP (GFRP) was decomposed at a chamber temperature above 370°C. Fibers were collected at purities of up to 80%. The tensile strength of recovered glass fibers was reduced by up to 50% although this depended on the temperature of treatment. Resin was separated from the gas stream by cooling it to liquefaction temperature of resin.

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Research in Recycling Technology of Fiber Reinforced Polymers for Reduction of Environmental Load: Optimum Decomposition Conditions of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers in the Purpose of Fiber Reuse

Jian Shi, Kiyoshi Kemmochi, Li Min Bao (2011)

The objective of the present study is to investigate the effect of pyrolysis time and temperature on the mechanical properties of recycled carbon fiber, based on tensile strength measurements, determining the optimum decomposition conditions for carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) by superheated steam. In this research, CFRPs were efficiently depolymerized and reinforced fibers were separated from resin by superheated steam. Tensile strength of fibrous recyclates was measured and compared to that of virgin fiber. Although tensile strength of recycled fibers were litter lower than that of virgin fiber, under some conditions tensile strength of recycled fibers were close to that of virgin fiber. With pyrolysis, some char residue from the polymer remains on the fibers and degrees of char on the recycled fibers were closely examined by scanning electron microscopy.