
Recycling of Carbon Fibre and Amine-Epoxy Composites Through Sustainable and Low-Cost Chemical Treatment Using Hydrogen Peroxide
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Fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are renowned for their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, driving innovations in fuel-efficient vehicles, high-performance wind turbines, and other sustainable engineering applications. However, the increasing prevalence of composites has led to a surge in end-of-life waste, much of which is incinerated or landfilled. Addressing this issue is critical for realising a cradle-to-cradle circular economy. Recycling composites is significantly more challenging than metals, as the polymer matrix and reinforcing fibres must be separated while preserving their mechanical integrity. Current industrial methods often degrade the fibres, limiting their reuse to low-value applications. Consequently, the full potential of reclaimed fibres remains untapped. In this study, we present an eco-friendly and cost-effective method for recycling carbon fibre and amine-epoxy composites, building on our prior work with glass-fibre composites. Our approach decomposes the amine-cured epoxy matrix using hydrogen peroxide alone (35 wt% or 50 wt%, without co-oxidants or additives) at 90 °C and atmospheric pressure, a process that requires up to 36 hours to complete. This process effectively breaks down the epoxy matrix, enabling the recovery of intact carbon-fibre woven fabric layers with minimal resin residues. Recovered fabrics are remanufactured into composite panels via a custom infusion technique, ensuring constant laminate thickness for the virgin and recycled composites. Microscopic and thermal degradation analyses characterise resin residues, while single-fibre tensile tests confirm minimal impact of decomposition on the tensile strength of the fibres. Finally, three-point bending testing and fractographic analysis demonstrate that the recycled composites retain mechanical properties suitable for moderate to high-performance structural applications.