Recyclate Fibres –matrix Interface Analysis for Reuse in Dough Mould Compounds (dmc)

This study investigated the reuse of composite recyclate (obtained through regrind) in new dough mould compounds (DMC), focusing on the interfacial analysis of recyclate glass fibres and a polyester resin matrix. In the past, manufacturing of composites incorporating composite recyclate has been carried out in a relatively simplistic manner [1,2] without the requisite background research into the chacteristics of composite regrind (fibre length, structure-content of regrind) and without an in-depth understanding of the mechanical properties of the interface between virgin and recycled materials. Previous studies [3] concluded that composites incorporating regrind tend to exhibit significantly inferior mechanical properties but no investigations into the reasons behind this behaviour have so far been conducted. It is well established that the mechanical properties of the matrix-matrix/fibre interfaces are crucial as they dictate the mechanical behaviour of the overall composite structure. This study focuses on the interfacial properties within thermosetting composites containing recyclate material, using a novel approach to investigate these composite structures: by determining the behaviour of different grades of recyclate particle with reference to the behaviour of the individual components (recyclate resin particles, and fibres).