Carbon fibre composites have long been praised for their strength and lightweight
properties. However, their sustainability is compromised by energy-intensive manufacturing
processes, leading to high costs. To address these challenges, the integration of
recycled carbon fibres into composites has emerged as a solution to reduce costs and
minimize environmental impact. In this study, we evaluated hybrid panels consisting
of one layer of recycled carbon fibres and two layers of virgin carbon fibres, comparing
them to panels made solely of virgin carbon fibres. The recycled layer was composed
of 70% recycled carbon fibre and 30% epoxy resin by weight. We prepared the specimens
by hand layering the recycled and virgin carbon fibres and employed hand mixing for
the epoxy-hardener ratios in the hybrid panels. Mechanical tests, including tensile,
impact resistance, and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), were conducted. Initial
findings indicated a 30% reduction in mechanical performance of impact compared to
panels made solely of virgin carbon fibres. However, the hybrid panels still demonstrated
good results in mechanical strength. This research highlights the potential for integrating
recycled fibres into composite materials to enhance sustainability without significantly
compromising their mechanical properties.
