High-value-added reutilization of resin pyrolytic oil: Pyrolysis process, oil detailed composition, and properties of pyrolytic oil-based composites

Although numerous efforts have been focused on the high-value-added reutilization of resin matrix in abandoned composites, the evidence chain of whether high-value-added resin pyrolysis oil can be reused has not been comprehensively presented. Herein, the epoxy resin (EP) matrix in composite wastes was pyrolyzed into EP pyrolytic oil (EPO), and its detailed composition and effects on the microstructure, strength, and ablation of remanufactured carbon fiber (CF) composites were analyzed and evaluated. According to the results, more than half (57.8 wt%) of the EP matrix was converted into EPO, which mainly included phenol and its derivatives. Given that EPO contains a certain amount of phenol derivatives, the viscosity and wettability of EPOformaldehyde (EPOF) prepolymer with CF was slightly poorer than that of industrial grade phenol formaldehyde (PF). In addition, CF reinforced EPOF (CF/EPOF) composites with strengths and ablation rates comparable to those of CF/PF composites were fabricated successfully, owing to good process performance of the EPOF prepolymer. The present work provides a comprehensive feasibility data support and basis for high-value-added reutilization of an abandoned resin matrix composite for the manufacture of composites.

Automated summary

In this study, the abandoned epoxy resin matrix in composite wastes was pyrolyzed into epoxy resin pyrolytic oil (EPO) and analyzed. The results showed that more than half of the epoxy resin matrix was converted into EPO, mainly consisting of phenol and its derivatives. CF reinforced EPOF composites with comparable strength and ablation rates to CF/PF composites were successfully fabricated, thanks to the good process performance of the EPOF prepolymer.