Epoxy polymers reinforced with carbon microfibre wastes

This work investigates the incorporation of disposed carbon microfibres (CMF) obtained from the cutting process of laminate composites into epoxy polymers at different mass fractions (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10wt%). The elastic modulus and strength under tensile, compressive, flexural loads and impact resistance are investigated via Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The tensile (compressive) modulus progressively increases up to 36.6% (28.6%) with the inclusion of CMF. The inclusion of 5wt% CMF results in an increase of 27% (19%) in tensile (compressive) strength. The flexural strength also increases 28.6% when 10wt% CMF is added. CMF waste leads, however, to a dramatic decrease (approx. 50%) in impact resistance attributed to the increase in stiffness. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Selection and/or Peer-review under responsibility of the 4th Brazilian Conference on Composite Materials.