Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRPs) are widely used structural materials, thanks to their high strength-to-weight ratio and stiffness. In this field, the use of thermoset polymers (especially epoxy resins cured with amines) as matrix in demanding applications is continuously increasing, leading to a major production of end-of-life (EoL) waste. However, the recycling processes present significant challenges due to the heterogeneity and irreversible three-dimensional cross-linked networks in these materials. Currently, common practices for managing scrap and end-of-life waste include landfilling or incineration, which are clearly inconsistent with the principles of Circular Economy. As a result, there is an urgent need for economically feasible, safe and scalable processes to efficiently recycling these materials, recovering their valuable components.
In the light of the above, this work presents a Lewis-acid catalyzed solvolysis process carried at mild temperatures and atmospheric pressure, applied to three different grades of amine-epoxy thermosets and corresponding CFRPs. At the end of the process, functional oligomeric organic fractions could be recovered, together with integer and clean recycled carbon fibers, which preserve > 95% of their pristine mechanical properties. In this way, a more favorable end-of-life management for amine-cured CFRPs is designed, allowing to beneficial improvement with respect to actual recycling technologies, both from environmental and economical point of views.