Sizing effect on reclaimed continuous carbon fibres's properties extracted from recycled automotive composite parts

The growing need for recycling carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRPs) is driven by increasing environmental sustainability concerns. CFRPs, valued for their strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance, are extensively used across various industries, leading to significant waste accumulation and environmental impact. Maintaining the mechanical performance of carbon fibres, the primary reinforcement in CFRPs, is crucial for the structural integrity and functionality of recycled materials. Chemical and mechanical recycling methods offer promising approaches for fibre reclamation, each with its benefits and drawbacks. As recycling efforts progress, robust characterization methods are essential to assess the integrity and quality of recycled fibres accurately. A novel optical method presented in this study offers a framework for evaluating fibre filament loss during recycling, providing valuable insights into the effectiveness of recycling initiatives. Tensile tests further demonstrate that while recycled fibres exhibit decreased properties compared to reference fibres, sizing significantly enhances the tensile strength of recycled fibres, underscoring the importance of appropriate treatment methods in improving the performance of recycled materials for composite applications.