Microwave heating as a means for carbon fibre recovery from polymer composites: A technical feasibility study

Edward Lester, Sam Kingman, Kok Hoong Wong, Chris Rudd, Stephen Pickering, Nidal Hilal

Research output: Journal PublicationArticlepeer-review

137 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Carbon fibre composites with an epoxy resin matrix were subjected to microwave-heating experiments in order to volatilise the polymer content and to produce clean fibres for potential reuse in high-grade applications. The composites were processed at 3kW for 8s in a multimode microwave applicator. The recovered fibres were characterised by tensile tests and electron microscopy. The results compare favourably with virgin fibre properties.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1549-1556
Number of pages8
JournalMaterials Research Bulletin
Volume39
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Aug 2004
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • A. Composites
  • A. Polymers
  • C. Thermogravimetric analysis
  • D. Atomic force microscopy
  • D. Dielectric properties

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

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