Title: Recycled Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polyphenylene Sulphide in Aerospace

Authors: I. ten Bruggencate, F.W.J. van Hattum, J. Meuzelaar, T. de Bruijn

DOI: 10.33599/nasampe/s.24.0097

Abstract: Thermoplastic composites are increasingly used in industries such as aerospace, partly due to their favorable properties, such as impact strength, chemical and heat resistance, excellent FST and fast processing times. They are claimed to be well-recyclable because of their option for multiple consolidation cycles. However, in practice the material is hardly recycled today. The ThermoPlastic composite Application Centre in the Netherlands, has developed a low shear recycling process that can process thermoplastic composite waste, while retaining the highest possible material properties. This paper describes the results of a joint research project aimed at increasing the knowledge on achievable material properties using this recycling process. For this, C/PPS material with varying batch compositions was shredded and processed with a low shear mixer to obtain plate material. Material data such as tensile strength and impact sensitivity were collected by means of mechanical and impact testing. Integration of lightning strike protection during processing was studied, and subsequently tested for effectivity. Finally, based on above results, two complex-shaped fairing covers were developed and produced from recycled thermoplastic composites (rTPC), that will be flight tested on an experimental European rotorcraft. The research thus proved the successful use of recycled thermoplastic composites with functional integration in the development and production of complex-shaped aerospace part.

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Conference: SAMPE 2024

Publication Date: 2024/05/20

SKU: TP24-0000000097

Pages: 14

Price: $28.00