Recycling of the glass/carbon fibre reinforced polymer composites: A step towards the circular economy

• Published in: Polymer-plastics technology and engineering Vol. 61; no. 7; pp. 761 - 788
• Main Authors: Arif, Zia Ullah, Khalid, Muhammad Yasir, Ahmed, Waqas, Arshad, Hassan, Ullah, Sibghat
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Taylor & Francis 03.05.2022; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Carbon fiber reinforced plastics; CFRP; chemical recycling; Circular economy; Fiber composites; Fiber reinforced polymers; GFRP; Glass fiber reinforced plastics; Mechanical properties; mechanical recycling; Polymer matrix composites; Recycling; Remanufacturing; thermal recycling
• ISSN: 2574-0881; 0360-2559; 2574-089X; 1525-6111
• DOI: 10.1080/25740881.2021.2015781

There is an urgent need to recycle glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) and carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites due to environmental challenges caused by incineration and traditional landfilling. This review incorporates an overview of the latest knowledge on the recycling techniques for different GFRP and CFRP composites. The applications of these chopped fibers are limited due to significant depreciation in their mechanical properties after recycling. The high-value applications of the composites remanufactured through recycled fibers are outlined. This review also incorporates the present challenges and modern trends in the recycling of fiber-reinforced composites. It is expected that further innovations in recycling technologies will be helpful to establish a circular economy and sustainable benign environment.