Mechanical characterisation of CFRP laminates with recycled carbon fiber obtained by resin infusion under Flexible Tooling (RIFT) technology

Abstract The increasing use of composites in several industrial fields has increased composite waste production with the associated problems and costs related to their disposal. In this contest, different strategies and technologies for recycling composite material at the end of its life are available. The adoption of appropriate recycling policies allows using raw materials with excellent properties at a cost significantly low. In this scenario, the production of CFRP laminates by Resin Infusion under Flexible Tooling (RIFT) technology represents a possibility to produce new components, starting with reclaimed non-woven carbon fabric. This paper investigates the mechanical characteristics of CFRP laminates with recycled carbon fiber obtained: quasi-static and dynamic tests were carried out to investigate their behavior under tensile, flexural and low-velocity impact loading, respectively. In addition, the influence of the stratification was assessed on mechanical characteristics.