Recent investigation of interfacial and mechanical properties of various thermally-recycled carbon fibers/recycled pet composites

Abstract

Global demand for and usage of carbon fiber (CF) based products are rapidly growing. However, the disposal of waste CF is also increasing, posing environmental problems. In this research, the mechanical and interfacial properties were evaluated for carbon fiber reinforced composites (CFRC) manufactured using thermally recycled waste carbon fiber and recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The mechanical properties of the recycled fiber were determined and compared to those of neat fibers using the single-fiber tensile test. The surfaces of the recycled and neat carbon fiber were examined and compared using FE-SEM and dynamic contact angle measurements. A goal of the study was determination of the applicability of industrial use of recycled CF and/or recycled PET in CFRC. The composites' mechanical properties were measured by flexural and short beam testing. The interfacial properties between the recycled carbon fibers and recycled PET were evaluated using the microdroplet test. It was found that 500C was the optimal carbon fiber recycling heat treatment condition and that the optimal mechanical properties of the recycled CFRC was obtained with at 270C for 5 minutes. ? 2018. Used by the Society of the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering with permission.