Recyclable epoxy system for HP-RTM application

Implementation of composites in automotive manufacturing is driven by cost reduction. High Pressure Resin Transfer Molding (HP-RTM) allows part manufacturing cycle time to be as low as few minutes. Thermoset materials used in HP-RTM are not recyclable, which is damaging to the environment and increases production costs. Connora has developed a series of new epoxy curing agents (Recyclamines®). Use of these curing agents enables the manufacturing of recyclable thermoset products. In the present work, manufacturing of epoxy/carbon fiber preform panels is described. Following a subsequent processing, the epoxy used in production is recycled and the carbon is reused. Mechanical testing showed that panels produced from recycled carbon had the similar properties in the direction of the fiber alignment and 10-25% decrease in properties for the perpendicular direction.