Application of Recycled Carbon Fibers in Aircraft Windows Frame

Abstract

In recent years, carbon fibres have been widely used in an increasing number of industrial sectors. The use of large quantities of CFRPs creates significant environmental and economic problems related to waste disposal and consumption of non-renewable resources. Recently, European legislation has imposed more controls on composite materials waste management from both manufacturing processes and end-of-life products. In this context, the development of technological know-how that enables the recovery of added-value of waste, instead of its simple disposal. Among the most promising recycling methods are thermal processes that include pyrolysis. Pyrolysis is the only process implemented on an industrial scale in Europe because of its economic viability and technical feasibility. The challenge is to develop production processes for composites reinforced with recycled fibres that compete with virgin CFRP both economically and in terms of mechanical properties. CETMA and Leonardo Aerostructure have used Prepreg Compression Molding to produce a windows frame with non-woven fabrics of recycled carbon fibres impregnated with a fast-curing resin. The pyrolysis-recycled fibres were treated with a sizing previously developed by CETMA and compatible with fast-curing epoxy resin.