Composite Fiber Recovery: Integration into a Design for Recycling Approach

Abstract

In industry, the use of composites, and more specially carbon fiber/thermoset matrix ones, is ever increasing. However, end-of-life solutions for these materials are still under development. In this chapter, a solution linking design strategies with a recycling process based on the solvolysis of the matrix by water under supercritical conditions is proposed. The needs and multi-disciplinary skills required for (i) taking recycling possibilities into account from the early stages of the product design, and (ii) the necessity to standardize its recycling capabilities with design requirements, will both be discussed. The present chapter highlights the need for designers to take a functional approach into consideration, including material characterization, limits of the recycling process, constraints and opportunities. The first lessons learned from experiments using this technique will be shown.