Designing of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites for a second-life in the aeronautic industry: strategies towards a more sustainable future

Over the last few years, use of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites (CFRP) in aeronautic sector has significantly increased, given these materials’ outstanding properties. Consequently, accumulation composite residues is becoming an environmental hurdle. Therefore, a world where sustainability and circularity remain on lead, replacement thermosets by thermoplastics as polymeric matrices emerges promising technique, recyclability materials. Following this perspective, work, “residues” were incorporated into poly(etheretherketone) (PEEK) matrix, strategy towards more sustainable future, aiming at developing novel compounds for industry. The influence two different fiber sizes (<600 600–1000 μm) neat PEEK properties was assessed through formulations developed using co-rotating twin screw-extruder, under optimized processing conditions. Furthermore, potential thermo-oxidative degradation, recycling feasibility its compounds, evaluated submitting materials to several thermo-mechanical cycles. results showed that successfully prepared, presented good distribution absence agglomerates. A positive impact mechanical performance found incorporation 3.3 wt.% short fibers (sCF) with larger (600–1000 μm). reprocessing 15 consecutive cycles demonstrated their remarkable stability, without any sign degradation or irreversible loss length reprocessed major variations occurred after first extrusion cycle, especially sizes.