Towards a sustainable future: Exploring methods, technologies, and applications for thermoset composite recycling
Rajan, Rathish; Tölli, Hanna; Valkjärvi, Mira (2024)
Rajan, Rathish
Tölli, Hanna
Valkjärvi, Mira
Centria-ammattikorkeakoulu
2024
All rights reserved. This publication is copyrighted. You may download, display and print it for Your own personal use. Commercial use is prohibited.
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe20241217103763
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe20241217103763
Tiivistelmä
Composite materials are engineered substances composed of two or more distinct constituents, each possessing varying physical and chemical properties (Chawla 2019). These constituents, referred to as the matrix and the reinforcement, combine to form a novel material exhibiting enhanced properties not inherent in the individual components alone.
Polymer composites represent materials comprising two or more distinct components: a polymer matrix and a reinforcing phase. The polymer matrix is a continuous medium enveloping and bonding with the reinforcing phase, consisting of fibers, particles, or flakes. This reinforcing phase significantly enhances the composite material’s mechanical, thermal, or electrical properties.
Various materials, such as glass, carbon, aramid, nanoparticles, or natural fibers, can serve as reinforcing phases in polymer composites. The choice of these materials depends on the composite’s desired properties and intended application. Moreover, the polymer matrix can be fabricated from a wide array of polymers, including thermosetting resins (e.g., epoxy, polyester, or phenolic resins) or thermoplastic polymers (e.g., polypropylene, polyamide, or polyethylene).
Polymer composites find widespread applications across various industries, encompassing aerospace, automotive, construction, electronics, sports equipment, and numerous other sectors. Within these domains, polymer composites are the foundational material for crafting lightweight and durable components, including aircraft components, automotive body panels, wind turbine blades, boat hulls, and sporting equipment. The distinctive properties and performance characteristics of polymer composites are adaptable through meticulous adjustments in composition, processing methodologies, and design parameters, thus facilitating alignment with the specific requirements of the intended application.
The core objective of this report is to deliver an all-inclusive depiction of the existing recycling alternatives available for thermoset composite materials. Within this scope, it shall assess the technological readiness level of these recycling methods while concurrently evaluating their present feasibility in the context of composite material recycling. Furthermore, the report shall define a forward-looking perspective, shedding light on the potential benefits and difficulties of the prevailing approach in thermoset composite recycling.
Polymer composites represent materials comprising two or more distinct components: a polymer matrix and a reinforcing phase. The polymer matrix is a continuous medium enveloping and bonding with the reinforcing phase, consisting of fibers, particles, or flakes. This reinforcing phase significantly enhances the composite material’s mechanical, thermal, or electrical properties.
Various materials, such as glass, carbon, aramid, nanoparticles, or natural fibers, can serve as reinforcing phases in polymer composites. The choice of these materials depends on the composite’s desired properties and intended application. Moreover, the polymer matrix can be fabricated from a wide array of polymers, including thermosetting resins (e.g., epoxy, polyester, or phenolic resins) or thermoplastic polymers (e.g., polypropylene, polyamide, or polyethylene).
Polymer composites find widespread applications across various industries, encompassing aerospace, automotive, construction, electronics, sports equipment, and numerous other sectors. Within these domains, polymer composites are the foundational material for crafting lightweight and durable components, including aircraft components, automotive body panels, wind turbine blades, boat hulls, and sporting equipment. The distinctive properties and performance characteristics of polymer composites are adaptable through meticulous adjustments in composition, processing methodologies, and design parameters, thus facilitating alignment with the specific requirements of the intended application.
The core objective of this report is to deliver an all-inclusive depiction of the existing recycling alternatives available for thermoset composite materials. Within this scope, it shall assess the technological readiness level of these recycling methods while concurrently evaluating their present feasibility in the context of composite material recycling. Furthermore, the report shall define a forward-looking perspective, shedding light on the potential benefits and difficulties of the prevailing approach in thermoset composite recycling.