Manis, F.; Stegschuster, G.; Wölling, J.; Schlichter, S. Influences on Textile and Mechanical Properties of Recycled Carbon Fiber Nonwovens Produced by Carding. J. Compos. Sci.2021, 5, 209.
Manis, F.; Stegschuster, G.; Wölling, J.; Schlichter, S. Influences on Textile and Mechanical Properties of Recycled Carbon Fiber Nonwovens Produced by Carding. J. Compos. Sci. 2021, 5, 209.
Manis, F.; Stegschuster, G.; Wölling, J.; Schlichter, S. Influences on Textile and Mechanical Properties of Recycled Carbon Fiber Nonwovens Produced by Carding. J. Compos. Sci.2021, 5, 209.
Manis, F.; Stegschuster, G.; Wölling, J.; Schlichter, S. Influences on Textile and Mechanical Properties of Recycled Carbon Fiber Nonwovens Produced by Carding. J. Compos. Sci. 2021, 5, 209.
Abstract
Nonwovens made of recycled carbon fibers (rCF) and thermoplastic (TP) fibers have excellent economic and ecological potential. In contrast to new fibers, recycled carbon fibers are significantly cheaper and the CO2 footprint is mostly compensated by energy savings in the first product life cycle. The next step for this promising material is its industrial serial use. Therefore the process chain from fiber to composite material is analyzed. Initially rCF length at different positions during the carding process is measured. Thereafter the influence of the TP fibers onto processing, fiber shortening and mechanical properties is evaluated. At last several nonwovens with different TP fibers and fiber volume contents between 15 vol.-% and 30 vol.-% are produced, consolidated by hot pressing and tested by 4-point bending to determine the mechanical values. The fiber length reduction ranges from 20.6 % to 28.4 %. TP fibers cushion the rCF against mechanical stress but hold rCF fragments back due to their crimp. The resulting bending strength varies from 301 MPa to 405 MPa and the stiffness from 16.3 GPa to 30.1 GPa. Design recommendations for reduced fiber shortening are derived as well as material mixtures which offer better homogeneity and higher mechanical properties.
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