Carbon fiber (CF) reinforced thermoplastic and thermoset composites are on the rise for research and new technologies, consequently, the use by many industries for applications in diverse areas. The principal methodologies and technologies for reusing and recycling these composites and possible applications are reviewed based on available in the information in the existing scientific literature. This review aims to present the possibilities of recycling, reuse and application of these composites reinforced with CF. The composites show a high added value due to the cost of the raw material and the technology involved in its development, which deserves attention for its possible recycling, and thus, and closed-loop economy. Given the current concern for the environment, the future disposal of waste based on CF reinforced thermoplastic and thermoset composites deposited in sanitary landfills and incinerated are unlikely to continue. It is expected that with the new carbon-fiber reinforced-polymer (CFRP) waste management guidelines, most industries, and scientific research will develop viable and profitable methodologies for the reuse and recycling of this waste and that can be inserted into the economy for the manufacture of new components for the most diverse sectors automotive industry.
Polyamide (PA) is a well-known and researched thermoplastic due to its excellent mechanical and physical properties, making it developed in the automotive sector, suitable for lighter vehicles, and, consequently, lower fuel consumption. This review manuscript presents the applications of PA-based materials in the manufacture of vehicle parts, with a description of their processing, a discussion about their thermal properties and the crystallization of polymer structure, the challenges of machining PA-based composite materials, and the feasibility of recyclability. This work aims to revise literature about the use of polyamide 6 (PA6), polyamide 66 (PA66), and polyamide 12 (PA12) and their composites reinforced with fiberglass (FG) and carbon fiber (CF) focused on the potential that these materials have as alternative materials for the automotive industry.
Prepreg is a pre-impregnated composite fiber where a thermoset polymer matrix material is present. Before being used, these materials are kept at low temperatures and have a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film for your protection. The increase in the use of structural composites based on prepregs causes an increase in the amount of protective LDPE film. This material is usually discarded or incinerated and can cause great damage to the environment. Thus, the present work aimed to study the feasibility of recycling up to 100% of protective LDPE (rLDPE) to develop blends-based nanocomposites with rLDPE/virgin LDPE (60/40, 70/30, 80/20, 90/10 and 100/0) with the addition of 5 wt% of compatibilizer agent (maleic anhydride grafted LDPE, LDPE-g-MA), and 1 wt% of bentonite (BNT) using a co-rotational twin-screw extruder, followed by hot pressing in a hydropneumatic press and die-cutting. Water absorption test, thermal aging resistance, morphological characterization by scanning electron microscopy, mechanical properties by Izod impact strength and tensile tests, and differential scanning calorimetry were performed. By the results, it was possible to verify the viability of 100% of the recycling of rLDPE. The results showed a good distribution of 1 wt% of BNT in the matrix, better mechanical properties when compared with virgin LDPE. Furthermore, the thermal properties, water absorption test, and thermal aging resistance showed no statistical differences between the samples. These results confirm the effectiveness and the environmental gain in the use of the recycled material.
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