Title: Influence of Fibre Length Distribution on the Processing of Aligned Discontinuous Reclaimed Carbon Fibre Material

Authors: P. Sullivan, S.J. Eichhorn, I. Hamerton, V. Summers

DOI: 10.33599/nasampe/s.24.0060

Abstract: "Reclaimed carbon fibres (rCF) typically come in the form of discontinuous filaments and can come from end-of-life cured composites, prepreg or dry fibre waste. Unlike virgin carbon fibre (vCF), it is a challenge to align rCFs or ensure a consistent areal weight. The patented HiPerDiF (high performance discontinuous fibre) technology produces highly aligned tapes using a water-based dispersion step to separate filaments prior to alignment. Fibre length is key to dispersion: longer fibres flocculate and block the system. Fibres between 3 and 6 mm have previously dispersed well [1]. A new capability is needed to reduce the length of rCFs with high accuracy and precision. Fibres reclaimed from a cylindrical component using a superheated steam-based process were chopped using a pneumatic tool to 3 target lengths between 3 and 6 mm. The resulting chopped fibre length distribution (FLD) was measured using the FASEP 3E Eco system and were similar in accuracy to a vCF baseline using the same method. The resultant fibre distributions were processed with HiPerDiF to produce partially impregnated tape. Dispersion remained more problematic for rCF compared to vCF. While FLD is a factor, the effects of the reclamation on the fibre surface remain a key influence."

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Conference: SAMPE 2024

Publication Date: 2024/05/20

SKU: TP24-0000000060

Pages: 14

Price: $28.00