Search

DIGITAL LIBRARY: SAMPE 2023 | SEATTLE, WA | APRIL 17-20

Get This Paper

AEROBIC DEPOLYMERIZATION OF AMINE–EPOXY THERMOSET COMPOSITES

Description

Title: AEROBIC DEPOLYMERIZATION OF AMINE–EPOXY THERMOSET COMPOSITES

Authors: Carlos A. Navarro, Yijia Ma, Katelyn Michael, Hanna Brenuig, Steven R. Nutt, Travis J. Williams

DOI: 10.33599/nasampe/s.23.0185

Abstract: Recent supply chain shortages, particularly virgin carbon fiber shortfalls, have advanced technological solutions to recover and reuse carbon fibers from waste composites. We present catalytic, aerobic conditions for depolymerizing amine-linked epoxy thermoset matrix polymers commonly used in high-performance carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) materials. Unlike other recycling methods, this process preserves the fibers aligned and woven in the same pattern as the parent material and returns valuable materials from the thermoset matrix. Preliminary life-cycle analyses of this process relative to existing technologies reveal an opportunity to reduce energy investment in virgin carbon fiber manufacturing by 54% if executed at scale.

References: (1) Karuppannan, S. G. & Kärki, T. “A Study to Investigate the Mechanical Properties of Recycled Carbon Fibre/Glass Fibre-Reinforced Epoxy Composites Using a Novel Thermal Recycling Process.” Processes 8 (8) (2020): 954-965. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr8080954. (2) Pichler, D. “Carbon Fiber Market Overview” American Carbon Society Virtual Conference. Zoom. Lu, W. Video Presentation. (3) Navarro, C. A., Giffin, C. R., Zhang, B., Yu, Z., Nutt, S. R. & Williams, T. J. “A Structural Chemistry Look at Composites Recycling.” Mater Horiz 7 (10) (2020): 2479-2486. https://doi.org/10.1039/d0mh01085e. (4) “Bandwidth Study on Energy Use and Potential Energy Saving Opportunities in U.S. Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Manufacturing” United States. Department of Energy. 2017. (5) Das, S. “Life Cycle Assessment of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites.” Int J Life Cycle Assess 16 (3) (2011): 268–282. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-011-0264-z. (6) Witik, R. A., Teuscher, R., Michaud, V., Ludwig, C. & Månson, J. A. E. “Carbon Fibre Reinforced Composite Waste: An Environmental Assessment of Recycling, Energy Recovery and Landfilling.” Compos Part A Appl Sci Manuf 49 (2013): 89–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2013.02.009. (7) Warren, D. “Lower Cost Carbon Fiber Precursors” United States. Department of Energy. 2011.

Conference: SAMPE 2023

Publication Date: 2023/04/17

SKU: TP23-0000000185

Pages: 9

Price: $18.00

Get This Paper