This work is part of the Recycomp project, which aims to develop a new generation of recyclable organic matrix composites (OMCs) produced from recycled raw materials, in line with a circular economy approach.The project focuses on the recovery and valorization of carbon, glass, basalt, and flax fibers derived from end-of-life composite materials, particularly from the construction and automotive sectors. Carbon fibers were recovered through chemical reactions via solvolysis under various extraction conditions: subcritical water at 275 °C with a flow rate of 1.81 mL/min (W.275_F1.81), a water/ethanol mixture at 275 °C and 1.81 mL/min (WE275_F1.81), and a water/ethanol/NaOH mixture at 275 °C with a flow rate of 5.44 mL/min (WES275_F5.44) [1].In order to promote their reintegration into a thermoplastic matrix (an Elium® grade, provided by Arkema) by improving the interfacial adhesion, the surface of recovered fibers was exposed to atmospheric-pressure oxidative plasma, combined with the application of a silane coupling agent [2], [3], [4]. Physicochemical characterizations of the fibers were carried out before and after treatment.The chemical functionalization efficiency of the fibers was evaluated using surface analysis techniques, including Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) et X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Wettability measurements via tensiometry were also performed to quantify fiber surface energies and their dispersive and polar components [5], [6]. Finally, Optical (OM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were employed to examine fiber morphology, while SEM-EDX analysis is used to define and map the presence of grafted silane on the fiber surfaces after treatment. The results showed improved fiber recovery by solvolysis fibers under supercritical water and water–ethanol–NaOH conditions. Tensiometry measurements revealed a significant increase in the polar component of the fiber surface following solvolysis, which resulted in a higher total surface energy. Subsequently, fiber/Elium® interfacial adhesion was assessed, yielding promosing results that indicated an enhanced affinity between the solvolyzed fibers and the polymer matrix, thereby demonstrating their strong potential for composite applications.
- Recycling fibre reinforced elium® composites by solvolysis: surface characterization and functionalization of recovered fibres
- Jamila Taibi - Polymères Composites et HybridesMartian Asseko Ella - Université de Montpellier, LMGC - Laboratoire de Mécanique et Génie CivilJing Wang - Institut de Chimie de la Matière Condensée de BordeauxMonica Francesca Pucci - IMT Mines AlèsNicolas Le Moigne - Polymères Composites et HybridesStéphane Corn - IMT Mines AlèsRomain Léger - IMT Mines AlèsDidier Perrin - Polymères Composites et HybridesPatrick Ienny - IMT Mines AlèsCyril Aymonier - Institut de Chimie de la Matière Condensée de Bordeaux
- MoDeSt 2026 - The 12th International Conference on Modification, Degradation and Stabilization of Polymers (Lyon, France, 31/08/2026–03/09/2026)
- 99287580509311
- LMGC - Laboratoire de Mécanique et Génie Civil; Université de Montpellier
- English
- Conference proceeding
- hal-05738775