Microwave-Assisted Recycling Process to Recover Fiber from Fiberglass Polyester Composites

Abstract

Fiberglass/thermoset matrix composite present important properties, such as specific mass and mechanical strength, aiming to replace some engineering materials. However, its mixture of different materials transforms them into an environmental problem, due to the complex recycling process. The highlight is meeting the demands of environmental pressures and for establishing recycling mechanisms, the proposal is to study physical recycling processes, focusing on the microwave-assisted pyrolysis process and also recovering fiberglass. The results were: humidity around 3 wt. %; the average loss of mass around 68 wt. %; the tensile strength is reduced by about 76 % when a composite with recycled fiberglass is laminated, as compared to the use of virgin fiberglass. This work establishing the physical recycling mechanism and route for composite materials, identifying the thermal degradation processes, for thus applying them to other materials, still considered environmental issues, technically and economically making these materials manufacturing processes viable, as well as establishing a recycling route.

Sustainable End-of-Life Management of Wind Turbine Blades: Overview of Current and Coming Solutions

“…The fibers are then contained in the air flow, and can be separated. The pyrolysis processes can involve microwave heating for polymer degradation [ 94 , 95 ]. Åkesson et al [ 94 ] studied microwave pyrolysis of wind turbine blades, and observed that glass fibers lost about 25% of their strength.…”

Current technologies for recycling fiber-reinforced composites

“…Several studies [46][47][48] report the application of the microwaves for heating the waste in order to decompose the matrix into gasses and oil. The results showed higher calorific values than the amount of energy used for the recycling process.…”

Mechanical Behaviors of Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis Recycled Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Concrete with Early-Strength Cement

“…Compared with other heat treatment methods, microwave offers the benefits of using less energy to achieve fast heat transfer, contactless and selective heating for complex mixtures, and better energy efficiency [ 30 ]. The microwave-assisted pyrolysis (MAP) process can recycle fiber from fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) [ 31 ].…”