Recovered fiber surfaces: a) and b) virgin glass fibers; c) and d) recovered glass fibers from acid digestion
Researcher: Ming-Sung Wu
Summary:
Disposal of waste wind turbine blades made of fiber-reinforced thermoset polymers (FRPs), which are generally non-biodegradable and non-recyclable under mild conditions, poses environmental problems. In the present study, the recyclable epoxy resin was characterized and analyzed. The cured resin can be chemically separated from fiber reinforcements and subsequently recycled under moderate pressure and temperature to yield small polymers. Protocols for Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) processing were developed for the recyclable resin systems. Results showed that void free laminated could be manufactured using the recyclable resins and the recovered glass fibers retain intact surface quality compared to virgin fibers.