Semi-continuous flow recycling method for carbon fibre reinforced thermoset polymers by near- and supercritical solvolysis

This paper presents an innovative fibre-matrix separation method applied to carbon fibre reinforced thermosets with two different media (water and a water/ethanol mixture) under sub- and supercritical conditions. The influence of different experimental conditions, nature of solvents and temperature on the properties of the recycled carbon fibres (rCFs),1 is studied. This is performed with regard to the efficiency of the removal of the thermoset resin from the fibres as well as the surface and mechanical properties of the rCFs. It is shown that the recycling with both media provides rCFs with promising qualities for reuse in carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRPs)2 of second generation. Besides, the water/ethanol mixture tends to achieve better results than pure water and creates rCFs with mechanical and surface properties comparable to that of virgin carbon fibres (vCFs).3 Finally, the mechanism of polymer degradation is discussed regarding the nature of chemicals dissolved in the reactive media.