Date:

2025-04-30

Title of Paper:

Recycling and remanufacturing of 3D printed continuous carbon fiber reinforced PLA composites

Journal:

Journal of Cleaner Production

Summary:

A cleaner production pattern for high-performance continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites (CFRTPCs) has been proposed in the present research on the base of recycling and remanufacturing of 3D printed continuous carbon fiber reinforced (CFR) PLA composites. Continuous carbon fiber and PLA matrix  was recycled in the form of PLA impregnated carbon fiber filament from 3D printed composite components and reused as the raw material for further 3D printing process. Tensile performance of recycled carbon fiber filaments was evaluated, which was higher than that of originally printed composites. Remanufactured CFRTPCs specimens also exhibited a 25% higher bending strength than that of original ones, which experimentally demonstrated the first up cycling process for CFRTPCs. A material recovery rate of 100% for continuous carbon fiber and 73% for PLA matrix were achieved for a better environmental impact. Energy consumption of 67.7 and 66 MJ/Kg respectively for recycling and remanufacturing processes was detected and compared with conventional methods. The proposed cleaner production pattern offered a potential strategy for the low-cost industrial application of fully recyclable composites.

Co-author:

Xiaoyong Tian*, Tengfei Liu, Qingrui Wang, Abliz, Dilmurat, Dichen Li and Gerha

Translation or Not:

No

Date of Publication:

2016-11-23