Structural Integrity of Hybrid Panel of Recycled and Virgin Carbon Fibre

Carbon fibre composites have long been praised for their strength and lightweight properties. However, their sustainability is compromised by energy-intensive manufacturing processes, leading to high costs. To address these challenges, the integration of recycled carbon fibres into composites has emerged as a solution to reduce costs and minimize environmental impact. In this study, we evaluated hybrid panels consisting of one layer of recycled carbon fibres and two layers of virgin carbon fibres, comparing them to panels made solely of virgin carbon fibres. The recycled layer was composed of 70% recycled carbon fibre and 30% epoxy resin by weight. We prepared the specimens by hand layering the recycled and virgin carbon fibres and employed hand mixing for the epoxy-hardener ratios in the hybrid panels. Mechanical tests, including tensile, impact resistance, and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), were conducted. Initial findings indicated a 30% reduction in mechanical performance of impact compared to panels made solely of virgin carbon fibres. However, the hybrid panels still demonstrated good results in mechanical strength. This research highlights the potential for integrating recycled fibres into composite materials to enhance sustainability without significantly compromising their mechanical properties.