Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) composites reinforced with recycled carbon fiber

Recycled carbon fibers were reclaimed by commercial scale pyrolysis from carbon fiber reinforced thermoset composite waste generated by the aerospace industry. The mechanical and physical properties of the reclaimed carbon fibers were shown to be comparable to those of aerospace grade virgin carbon fibers. The recycled carbon fibers were integrated into a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) thermoplastic resin by twin screw compounding followed by injection molding. Composites containing 20wt.% and 40wt.% recycled carbon fibers were produced. Overall, the fibers were found to be uniformly dispersed in the polymeric matrix. The tensile, flexural and impact properties of the composites were evaluated. The recycled carbon fiber reinforced PPS composites exhibited comparable mechanical properties to equivalent compounds produced using industrial grades of short virgin carbon fiber. In addition, thermogravimetric analysis showed that the introduction of recycled carbon fibers was not detrimental to the inherent thermal stability of PPS.