Recycling of Carbon Fiber and Performance Evaluation for Its Reinforced Composites Made of Additive Manufacturing

doi:10.3901/JME.2023.07.375

Abstract

Abstract: In order to realize the high-efficiency, high-quality and environment-friendly recycling of carbon fiber reinforced polymer waste and the high-value reuse of recycled carbon fiber, carbon fiber recycling by thermally activated of oxide semiconductors method and the additive remanufacturing process of recycled carbon fiber reinforced polymer(rCFRP) are proposed. The principle of recycling is analyzed by electron paramagnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopy. Based on complete randomized design, the factors affecting the decomposition rate of resin matrix and the effect of significant factors on the structure and mechanical properties of recycled carbon fiber are investigated. The mechanical properties of recycled carbon fiber reinforced polylactic acid composites (rCF/PLA) and their product applications are explored. The results show that there is no liquid phase product in the recycling process and the gas phase products are mainly CO₂ and H₂O.The resin matrix decomposition rate is positively correlated with temperature and time, and the O₂ concentration and that flow rate have no significant effect on the decomposition rate of resin matrix. The resin matrix decomposition rate can reach 97.1%, and no carbon deposits are produced on the surface of recycled carbon fiber. The increase of temperature will aggravate the degree of oxidation and graphite structure etching for recycled carbon fiber surface, while under certain temperature conditions, reasonable treatment time can reduce that. The monofilament tensile properties of recycled carbon fiber are positively correlated with temperature and time, and the monofilament tensile properties of recycled carbon fiber can maintain more than 99% of the original carbon fiber. Compared with polylactic acid, the tensile strength, flexural strength and modulus of rCF/PLA are respectively increased by 7.47%, 12.29% and 52.4%. Compared with the original carbon fiber reinforced polylactic acid composites, the tensile strength, flexural strength and modulus of rCF/PLA are respectively remained 95.1%, 96.23% and 103.25%. The products of additive remanufactured of rCFRP have good applications in sports, medical, automotive and other fields.

Key words: carbon fiber reinforced polymer, recycling, thermally activated of oxide semiconductors, remanufacturing, additive manufacturing

CLC Number:

TB332
X705

CHENG Huanbo, GUO Lijun, ZHOU Jinhu, WANG Huafeng, TANG Mingxi. Recycling of Carbon Fiber and Performance Evaluation for Its Reinforced Composites Made of Additive Manufacturing[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2023, 59(7): 375-388.

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