Development of material recycle method for CFRP using electromagnetic heating

Abstract

The production and consumption of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) are increasing year by year, and research and development on carbon fiber recovery from waste CFRP is more necessary. In this study, we develop a new recycling method by direct heat treatment using electromagnetic waves. Heating behaviors of three kinds of the CFRP pieces with different structures were clarified using a high-frequency induction heating device (about 300 kHz) with a six-turn coil and a single-mode microwave irradiation device (2.45 MHz). Using the high frequency band, the woven fabric sample was the most heated and the temperature rose to around 300 ℃. At this time, changes in appearance due to thermal decomposition and volatilization of the resin were observed around the sample, and about 30% of the resin content volatilized. Using the microwave band, unlike the high frequency band, thermal decomposition of the resin occurred in the uniform fiber direction sample, and almost 90% of the resin content was removed.