Chemical Recycling of Vacuum-Infused Thermoplastic Acrylate-Based Composites Reinforced by Basalt Fabrics

Abstract

The objective of this work was to compare the material recovered from different chemical recycling methodologies for thermoplastic acrylate-based composites reinforced by basalt fabrics and manufactured by vacuum infusion. Recycling was done via chemical dissolution with a preselected adapted solvent. The main goal of the study was to recover undamaged basalt fabrics in order to reuse them as reinforcements for “second-generation” composites. Two protocols were compared. The first one is based on an ultrasound technique, the second one on mechanical stirring. Dissolution kinetics as well as residual resin percentages were evaluated. Several parameters such as dissolution duration, dissolution temperature, and solvent/composite ratio were also studied. Recycled fabrics were characterized through SEM observations. Mechanical and thermomechanical properties of second-generation composites were determined and compared to those of virgin composites (called “first-generation” composites). The results show that the dissolution protocol using a mechanical stirring is more adapted to recover undamaged fabrics with no residual resin on their surface. Moreover, corresponding second-generation composites display equivalent mechanical properties than first generation ones.

Comparative analysis of thermoplastic and thermoset adhesives performance and the influence on failure analysis in jointed elium‐based composite structures

“…When examining the AFRC connections, the presence of OH (hydroxyl) groups at 3355 cm −1 wavelength is noticeable in the elium adhesive sample (Figure 12A). 47 Furthermore, an increase in the intensity of peaks attributed to CH stretching vibrations around 2900 cm −1 indicates the strengthening of CH bonds, which are weaker compared to OH bonds 48 . Additionally, the presence of CO bonds, relatively stronger compared to other bond structures, is evident at 1725 cm −1 wavelengths.…”

“…In GFRC samples, a peak at 2949 cm −1 wavelength, typically indicating methyl (CH 3 ) groups, is observed in the elium adhesive (Figure 12B). In the same sample, a high‐intensity peak at 1726 cm −1 wavelength typically represents relatively strong bonds, specifically the carbonyl (CO) groups 48 . On the other hand, it is evident that the bonds in the fingerprint region are stronger in elium‐adhesively bonded structures compared to epoxy‐adhesively bonded structures.…”

“…47 Furthermore, an increase in the intensity of peaks attributed to C H stretching vibrations around 2900 cm À1 indicates the strengthening of C H bonds, which are weaker compared to OH bonds. 48 Additionally, the presence of C O bonds, relatively stronger compared to other bond structures, is evident at 1725 cm À1 wavelengths. Similarly, the bond strengths in the fingerprint region are higher in samples bonded with elium adhesive compared to epoxy-adhesively bonded structures.…”

“…In the same sample, a highintensity peak at 1726 cm À1 wavelength typically represents relatively strong bonds, specifically the carbonyl (C O) groups. 48 On the other hand, it is evident that the bonds in the fingerprint region are stronger in eliumadhesively bonded structures compared to epoxy-adhesively bonded structures. CFRC structures exhibit spectra similar to GFRC structures (Figure 12C).…”

Cost Modelling for Recycling Fiber-Reinforced Composites: State-of-the-Art and Future Research

“…According to Oliveux, Dandy, and Leeke (2015) [ 4 ], numerous lab-scale experiments were carried out to study the solvolysis at lower temperatures, but only a few were able to progress to the industry-scale, thus, creating demand from the industries. For instance, Panasonic Electric Works was willing to recycle 200 tons of glass fiber composites using hydrolysis [ 42 ].…”