Researchers Develop Direct Discharge Electrical Pulses for Carbon Fiber Recycling

A novel electrical pulse method for carbon fiber recycling enhancing efficiency and sustainability.

The novel method for recycling carbon fiber-reinforced polymers is at least 10 times more energy efficient than conventional alternatives.
The novel method for recycling carbon fiber-reinforced polymers is at least 10 times more energy efficient than conventional alternatives.
Chiharu Tokoro from Waseda University

The world is hurtling rapidly towards a developed future, and carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) play a key role in enabling technological and industrial progress. These composite materials are lightweight and highly strong, making them desirable for applications in various fields, including aviation, aerospace, automotive, wind power generation, and sports equipment.

However, recycling CFRPs presents a significant challenge, with waste management being a pressing issue. Conventional recycling methods require high-temperature heating or chemical treatments, which result in high environmental impact and elevated costs. Moreover, it has been a challenge to recover high-quality carbon fibers. In this regard, electrohydraulic fragmentation has been proposed as a promising option. In this technique, intensive shockwave impulses generated by high-voltage discharge plasmas are applied along the interfaces of different materials to separate the various components.

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