Abstract
In enhanced and horizontal recycling of Fiber Reinforced Plastics (FRP), which are very difficult to be recycled, optimization of sub-critical water hydrolysis using potassium hydrate and sodium hydrate, demonstration test of styrene-fumaric acid copolymer (SFC), separation by actual centrifugal separator, trial for SFC modification method using anhydride exchange reaction with acetic anhydride, and evaluation test of anhydrated SFC were conducted. The optimum concentrations of KOH and NaOH at 230°C for 4h were 0.38mol/l and 0.78mol/l, respectively. The optimum temperature was 230°C for the above both cases. SFC separation demonstration test was successfully demonstrated with water content of 67% after separation. The water content remaining in SFC after separation was decreased to approximately one fifth comparing to ordinary method as filter press. Anhydrated SFC was obtained from anhydride exchange reaction at 20°C for 8h with sulfuric acid and acetic anhydride. FRP board samples were produced and tested using anhydrated SFC with commercial low profile additive (LPA). At 50% of anhydrated SFC mixing ratio, anhydrated SFC showed almost equivalent performance to the commercial LPA, which is more expensive than styrene monomer as raw material. The 5 to 10 times enhanced recycling of the SFC was verified.
