Interlaminar Properties of Hybrid Stacking Recycled Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Composites

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites have garnered widespread adoption in diverse industries due to their exceptional properties and versatility. As global demand for these materials continues to rise, effective management of waste generated during production and end-of-life cycles becomes imperative. Recycling technologies offer a promising solution, enabling the recovery of reinforcing materials and the circularization of material flows in the composites industry. This study investigates the potential of recycled carbon fibers (rCFs) as interlayers to enhance the interlaminar fracture toughness of carbon fiber/epoxy composites. Nonwoven mats based on rCFs are utilized to toughen a unidirectional carbon/epoxy laminate, aiming to improve Mode-I and Mode-II fracture toughness and fatigue performance. Fracture tests, augmented with acoustic emission (AE) and microscopic analysis of fracture surfaces, provide insights into the efficiency of incorporating rCF interlayers to enhance composite structures' long-term behavior and durability.