Mild chemical recycling of aerospace fiber/epoxy composite wastes and utilization of the decomposed resin. (May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Tuan; Zhang, Meng; Guo, Xiaolong; Liu, Chengyun; Liu, Tian; Xin, Junna; Zhang, Jinwen
• Is Part Of: Polymer degradation and stability. Volume 139(2017)
• Page Start: 20
• Page End: 27
• Publication Date: 2017-05
• Subjects: Carbon fiber -- Composite -- Waste recycling -- Thermosetting resin -- Epoxy -- Degradation -- Mechanical property -- Chemical recycling -- Glass transition -- Zinc chloride; Polymers -- Deterioration -- Periodicals; Stabilizing agents -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Dégradation -- Périodiques; Stabilisants -- Périodiques; 668.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2017.03.017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-3910

Abstract

Abstract: Carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs) with high T g (>200 °C) are indispensable for aerospace industry where high service temperature is required. Chemical recycling of the matrix polymers for these CFRP composites is more difficult than that of their low T g analogues. In this work, an efficient approach for mild chemical recycling of CFRP with a T g of ∼210 °C was developed using a ZnCl2 /ethanol catalyst system. The high efficiency of ZnCl2 /ethanol was attributed to the strong coordination effect of ZnCl2 with the C-N bonds and the strong swelling ability of ethanol, which worked together to break down the chemical bonds of the cross-linked polymer. Also, mild degradation temperature (<200 °C) imparted little damage to the recovered fibers. The decomposed matrix polymer (DMP) was in the oligomer form and contained multifunctional reactive groups. When DMP was used as a reactive ingredient and added up to 15 wt% to the preparation of new epoxy materials, the resulting cross-linked polymers could still retain the high strength and modulus compared to the neat polymer without addition of DMP.