Open AccessInfluence of chemical treatment on the recycling of composites before pyrolysis
Author(s) -
Siqi Hao,
Kok Hoong Wong,
X L Liu,
C.D. Rudd
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of physics. conference series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.21
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1742-6596
pISSN - 1742-6588
DOI - 10.1088/1742-6596/1765/1/012019
Subject(s) - pyrolysis , materials science , thermogravimetric analysis , x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , composite material , fiber , carbon fibers , composite number , chemical engineering , engineering
Recycling of carbon fibers is one of the upcoming global research topics in composite engineering. This work investigates the influence of chemical treatment on the recovery of carbon fibers from carbon fiber reinforced plastic before pyrolysis. The chemical pretreatment was achieved using a zinc chloride/ethanol solution. The pyrolysis process was conducted in a sliding furnace. The effect of such pre-treatment on thermal degradation behaviour was determined by a thermogravimetric analyser (TGA). An original sample was also investigated for benchmarking. After the thermal pyrolysis process, the fiber tensile properties were measured using a single fiber tester. The surface functional groups and graphitization degree recovered carbon fiber were characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy. The surface morphology of recycled carbon fibers was investigated by SEM. Pristine carbon fibers were also included in the study for benchmarking. During the pyrolysis process, the devolatilisation temperature of the pre-impregnated prepregreduced by around 40-50°C and the peak temperature was 40-50°C lower compared to that of the original prepreg. The chemical pre-treatment process reduces the pyrolysis temperature compared to the conventional pyrolysis process. After pyrolysis in nitrogen with a small amount of air, loose carbon fibers were recovered, and their surface was clean. The similar surface functional groups and the decrease of degree of graphitization were detected on the recycled carbon fiber.