Originally developed for high-tech applications in the aeronautic and aerospace industry, carbon/epoxy composites have been increasingly used in the automotive, leisure, and sports industries for several years. Nevertheless, the carbon reinforcement is an expensive constituent, and it has been recently shown that it is also the most environmentally impacting in a composite part manufacturing. Recycling these materials (even restricted to the reinforcement recovery) could lead to economic and environmental benefits, while satisfying legislative end-oflife requirements. The solvolysis of the matrix by water under supercritical conditions is an efficient solution to recover the carbon fiber reinforcement with mechanical properties closed to the ones of virgin fibers. This paper aims at demonstrating the environmental feasibility of the recycling of carbon fiber/thermoset matrix composites by solvolysis of the matrix in supercritical water. This demonstration is based on life cycle assessment that evaluates benefits and environmental challenges of this recycling loop.
is an open access repository that collects the work of Arts et Métiers ParisTech researchers and makes it freely available over the web where possible. Methods In order to validate the choices, we used a life cycle assessment (LCA) Bfrom cradle to grave^of the hull. This LCA is based on the comparison of the following different materials used: aluminum, composite, exotic wood, and maritime pine. This study is based on the construction of an 18-mlong passenger transport boat. These evaluations were carried out with respect to ISO 14040 standards, beginning with an existing database and measurements taken on the building and production sites.Results and discussion Our results demonstrate the benefits of using a wood-based hull compared with other materials. Moreover, the results show that the maritime pine used in replacement of imported exotic woods is more favorable from both economic and environmental points of view. This LCA allowed us to characterize precisely the stages in the life cycle of a passenger boat and to propose a hierarchy of the different materials under comparison for the purposes of boat building.Conclusions The recommendations and lines of progress highlighted by this study will allow us to enhance the efficiency of upcoming constructions and to promote the ecodesign conception in the boatyard.
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