The characterisation and reuse of glass fibres recycled from scrap composites by the action of a fluidised bed process

This paper describes a new fluidised bed process for recovering reinforcing fibres from scrap thermoset composites. Glass fibres recovered from scrap sheet moulding compound at 450°C using this process have a strength reduced to about half that of virgin fibre. These fibres have been used as partial and full replacement for virgin fibres in a dough moulding compound (DMC). The main physical properties of plaques moulded with the experimental DMCs have been measured. Flexural and Young's moduli are unaffected by the level of reclaimed fibre used. Flexural and tensile strength are reduced when over 50% of the virgin reinforcement is replaced by fibres recovered at 450°C.