Recycling of carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite wastes from the aerospace industry. (April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Hui; Englund, Karl
• Is Part Of: Journal of composite materials. Volume 51:Number 9(2017)
• Page Start: 1265
• Page End: 1273
• Publication Date: 2017-04
• Subjects: Carbon fiber recycling -- waste composites -- polyether ether ketone -- thermo-forming; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Composites -- Périodiques; 620.118
• DOI: 10.1177/0021998316671796
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9983

Abstract

Post-industrial trimmings and off-cuts of carbon fiber/polyether ether ketone composite were successfully recycled into new composite products. The original composites were thermally characterized by dynamic thermomechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. Melt-bonding and thermoset adhesives were used to bond the carbon fiber/polyether ether ketone. Performance of the bond was evaluated through double lap-shear tests. The carbon fiber/polyether ether ketone scraps were mechanically refined to a variety of elemental sizes, subsequently subjected to high-temperature hot pressing to form panel composites. The influences of element size and processing temperature were evaluated through mechanical testing.