Recycled Natural Mineral Fiber-Reinforced Composites (MFRC) and Their Applications
摘要
Issues in disposal and recycling have elevated concerns about the environmental impact of fiber-reinforced polymer composites (FRPCs), especially mineral fiber-reinforced composites (MFRCs), which are in high demand in industries like electronics, construction, aerospace, and automobiles. The strong adhesion between mineral fibers and polymer matrices renders conventional recycling methods—mechanical, thermal, and chemical labor-intensive and technically complex, despite the materials’ well-known mechanical strength, thermal stability, and durability. Thermal approaches need a lot of energy and may damage fibers, chemical methods are expensive and difficult to scale, and mechanical operations typically destroy fibers, lowering material quality. Disassembly, shipping, and pre-treatment are all logistical hurdles that increase the financial cost and prevent broad adoption. Improved fiber recovery, material integrity, and economic viability may be achieved via new recycling processes, which are necessary to overcome these obstacles. Emerging technologies such as fluidized bed recycling and microwave-assisted systems have the potential to maximize efficiency while decreasing energy consumption. Hybrid systems that integrate mechanical, thermal, and chemical processes also show promise. Preserving the mechanical performance of recycled fibers, especially those susceptible to deterioration, and attending to the unique requirements of various mineral fiber types are of utmost importance. These developments, when combined with life cycle costing (LCC) and life cycle assessment (LCA) techniques, may provide light on the ecological and financial viability of different recycling strategies. To aid in the shift to a circular economy and the proper handling of these high-performance materials, these endeavors will be critical in creating long-term, scalable, and affordable solutions.