Recyclable Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Plastics (CFRP) Containing Degradable Acetal Linkages

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25630292
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Composite materials/Surface and interface engineering
• Research Institution: University of Fukui
• Principal Investigator: HASHIMOTO Tamotsu 福井大学, 工学(系)研究科(研究院), 教授 (00198681)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 高分子合成 / 高分子材料 / リサイクル / 分解 / 炭素繊維 / 繊維強化プラスチック / 複合材料 / アセタール

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Two epoxy resins containing degradable acetal linkages were synthesized by the reaction of cresol novolak-type phenolic resin (CN) with vinyl ethers containing a glycidyl group [cyclohexane dimethanol vinyl glycidyl ether (CHDMVG) and 4-vinyloxybutyl glycidyl ether (VBGE). Carbon fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRPs) were prepared by heating laminated prepreg sheets with CN-CHDMVG resin (derived from CN and CHDMVG) and CN-VBGE resin (derived from CN and VBGE), in which carbon fibers are impregnated with epoxy resins containing curing agents [dicyandiamide (DICY)] and curing accelerator (3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU)]. CN-CHDMVG-based CFRPs and CN-VBGE-based CFRPs exhibited almost the same tensile strength as the conventional bisphenol-A-based CFRPs. CN-CHDMVG-based CFRPs and CN-VBGE-based CFRPs underwent smooth breakdown with the treatment of hydrochloric acid in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature for 24 h to regenerate strands of carbon fibers for chemical recycling.

Free Research Field

高分子合成