RECYCLING OF RESIN MATRIX COMPOSITE-MATERIALS .7. FUTURE PERSPECTIVE OF FRP RECYCLING

Resin matrix composites reinforced by glass fibers and carbon fibers ( FRPs) are used extensively for many industrial applications, such as c onstruction materials, automobiles, ships and sporting goods, because of their high strength, ease of molding, light weight, durability, and resistance to corrosion, shock and abrasion. However, despite its man y superior properties, it is difficult to resource and recycle FRP aft er its disposition. In this report, the recycling technology of FRP th at has been developed is introduced as well as an outline of new recyc ling technology of FRP developed by the authors. FRP fine powders are made from waste FTP moldings using a fine powder crusher. The average grain size of these fine powders is 15-20 mu m. FRP fine powder was ex amined as a possible additive to paints and it was found that it incre ased the tensile strength of the paints. FRP can also be recycled as f iller for FRP resin. FRPs were also examined for possible civil and co nstruction materials and they were found to be useful as aggregates fo r concrete secondary products. After examining these manufacturing con ditions in detail, by fabricating light and high-strength mortars and investigating strength prediction and water solubility after extended time, it was found to be a practical material. Burned ashes from FRP s howed superior properties as mortar concrete expansive admixtures. It was concluded that FRPs, which used to be hard-to-destroy and hard-to- recycle materials, can be recycled for many industrial materials after crushing into fine powders.