Recyclable composites based on thermoreversible resins reinforced with recycled carbon fibres

Composite materials combine excellent mechanical properties with low density, finding applications from aerospace to sports and electronics. However, their cross-linked nature makes end-of-life management challenging, raising concerns about sustainability. Current recycling methods focus mainly on recovering carbon fibres, while matrix recovery remains problematic. To address this, thermosets with inherent recyclability offer opportunities to reduce waste, recover valuable components, and extend material lifespan through self-healing. Building on the expertise of Picchioni’s group in self-healing furan/maleimide systems and Giorgini’s group in composite recycling, this research develops recyclable composites based on thermoreversible resins reinforced with recycled carbon fibres. A polyketone (PK30) was functionalised at different levels, cross-linked with a bio-based bismaleimide, and fully characterised (EA, FT-IR, NMR, TGA, DSC). Finally, composites with 30 wt% recycled T700 fibres were produced and tested, including after several recycling steps.