Mechanical properties of ABS resin reinforced with recycled CFRP

This paper presents the mechanical properties of a composite consisting of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin mixed with carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) pieces (CFRP/ABS). CFRP pieces made by crushing CFRP wastes were utilized in this material. Nine kinds of CFRP/ABS compounds with different weight fraction and size of CFRP pieces were prepared. Firstly, tensile and flexural tests were performed for the specimens with various CFRP content. Next, fracture surfaces of the specimens were microscopically observed to investigate fracture behavior and fiber/resin interface. Finally, the tensile modulus and strength were discussed based on the macromechanical model. It is found that the elastic modulus increases linearly with increasing CFRP content while the strength changes nonlinearly. Microscopic observation revealed that most carbon fibers are separated individually and dispersed homogeneously in ABS resin. Epoxy resin particles originally from CFRP are dispersed in ABS resin and seem to be in good contact with surrounding resin. The modulus and strength can be expressed using a macromechanical model taking account of fiber orientation, length and interfacial bonding in short fiber composites.