Researchers at Rice University in Texas have devised a new way to recycle glass fiber reinforced plastic, commonly known as GFRP. This material is prized for its exceptional durability, but that same strength makes it hard to reuse. The findings appeared in NatSustain, the journal Nature Sustainability.
GFRP is widely used to build parts for aircraft and blades for wind turbines. Its sturdy and intricate polymer composition means a large portion of end-of-life GFRP ends up in landfills, contributing to waste management challenges and environmental concerns.
Now, a team has introduced an energy-saving technique that converts the composite into silicon carbide, a substance already integral to many manufacturing sectors, including semiconductors and abrasives like sandpaper.
In this breakthrough, glass fibers are first crushed into a fine material. A carbon component is then added, creating a mixture that conducts electricity. The next step uses high voltage to heat the mixture to about 2900 degrees Celsius, initiating a transformation.
Under these intense conditions, the material morphs into silicon carbide. The process has been reported to cost around five cents per kilogram, presenting a cheaper and greener alternative to burning the waste or disposing of it in other ways.
Researchers have previously explored breaking down plastics with solutions derived from microbial processes inside the guts of certain worms, showing yet another route to repurpose tough plastics and reduce landfill loads. (NatSustain, cited research summary)