Innovative rC Staple Fiber Tapes - New Potentials for CF Recyclates in CFRP through Highly Oriented Carbon Staple Fiber Structures

Abstract

Increasing waste streams of carbon fibers (CF) and carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) lead to increasing need for recycling and to growing amounts of recycled carbon fibers. A main issue in current research for carbon fiber recycling is the reuse of regained fibers. Carbon staple fibers such as recycled fibers hold big potential for mechanical properties of lightweight parts, if used properly. Applying recycled CF (rCF) as milled reinforcement fibers or as nonwoven in carbon fiber reinforced plastic leads to a poor yield of mechanical proper due to low fiber orientation, limitations in fiber volume content or due to short fiber length. The rC staple fiber tape presents a more efficient approach. Recycled carbon fibers are blended with 50 wt. % thermoplastic nylon 6 fibers and processed through a roller card to a sliver, which is a linear fibrous intermediate. The sliver is continuously drawn, formed, heated and consolidated to the thermoplastic rC staple fiber tape. The tape is similar to common carbon fiber tapes or to continuous tows but has different positive properties, such as high fiber orientation, homogeneous blend of fiber and matrix and suitability for deep drawing.