Recyclability and Embodied Energy of Advanced Polymer Matrix Composites

Recycling of advanced composites made from carbon fibers in epoxy resins is essential for two primary reasons. First, the energy necessary to produce carbon fibers is very high and therefore reusing these fibers could greatly reduce the lifecycle energy of components which use them. Second, if the material is allowed to break down in the environment, it will contribute to the growing presence of microplastics and other synthetic pollutants.Recyclability and Embodied Energy of Advanced Polymer Matrix Composites discusses current recycling and disposal methods—which typically do not aim for full circularity, but rather successive downcycling—and addresses the major challenge of aligning fibers into unidirectional tows of real value in high-performance composites.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2023018
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission of SAE International.
• Authors:
  • Muelaner, Jody Emlyn
• Publication Date: 2023-8-15

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: References;
• Serial:
  • SAE EDGE™ Research Reports
  • Publisher: SAE International
  • Serial URL: https://www.sae.org/publications/edge-research-reports

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Composite materials; Fibers; Polymers; Resins; Thermoplastic materials
• Subject Areas: Highways; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01890372
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: SAE International
• Report/Paper Numbers: EPR2023018
• Files: TRIS, SAE
• Created Date: Aug 22 2023 3:30PM