Epoxy polymers reinforced with carbon microfibre wastes

Abstract

This paper investigates the incorporation of recycled carbon micro fibres obtained from the cutting process of laminate composites into epoxy polymers at different mass fractions (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10%). The elastic modulus and strength under tensile, compressive, flexural and impact loadings were investigated via Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The tensile (compressive) modulus progressively increases up to 36.6% (28.6%) with the inclusion of carbon powder wastes. The inclusion of 5% mass fraction waste resulted in an increase of 27% (19%) in tensile (compressive) strength. The flexural strength also increased 28.6% when 10wt% carbon powder wastes were added. Carbon powder waste led, however, to a dramatic decrease (approx. 50%) in impact resistance attributed to the increase in stiffness.