PhD candidate

Project: Repurposing of recycled carbon fiber with thermoplastics for aerospace applications

LinkedIn  lukas.netzband [at] mail.mcgill.ca (Mail)

Supervisor: Prof Pascal Hubert

Recent studies have shown that carbon fibers can be recovered at end of life with minimal decrease in mechanical properties on fiber level. Techniques like Pyrolysis are successfully implemented at an industrial level. Highly aligned discontinuous recycled carbon fiber preforms can be manufactured which perform similar to virgin carbon fiber composites. However, limited studies are considering high performance repurposed parts for aerospace applications with recyclability as object of the composite design. This includes the preform design as well as the usage of a suitable matrix and composite manufacturing technique.

This research project aims to explore the remanufacturing of composite materials with recycled carbon fibers and novel thermoplastic materials. These thermoplastic resins, like the Arkema Elium, offer multiple routes of recycling as well as low processing temperatures and pressures, broadening manufacturing options to techniques like liquid composite molding.

By characterizing the in-situ polymerization and/or crystallization behavior of the thermoplastics as well as the processability of different recycled fiber preforms I aim to identify optimal manufacturing techniques and ensure aviation-grade performance. The study will focus on mechanical performance and recyclability of repurposed carbon fiber thermoplastic composites.

The project is expected to yield insights into the processability and remanufacturing of recycled carbon fiber and how it can replace virgin carbon fiber for high performance applications, contributing to the circularity of carbon fiber reinforced plastics in aviation.