Method for the manufacturing of yarns from recycled carbon fibers

Abstract

A method for the manufacturing of textile products in the form of a yarn, web or tow starting from recycled carbon fibers in the form of tuft, cloth or the like, comprising the steps of: • (a) discontinuous cutting of the fibers to obtain dimensionally homogeneous fibers of selected length; • (b) enzyming of the fibers cut in step (a), wherein the latter are additioned with one or more substances; • (c) blending of the fibers treated in step (b) with auxiliary fibers; • (d) double carding of the blended fibers obtained in said step (c); and • (e) feeding a pair of wicks to a spinning machine.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention refers to a method for the manufacturing of a semi-finished product starting from recycled carbon fibers, in particular a semi-finished product suitable for the subsequent obtainment of a yarn or of a so-called “tow”.BACKGROUND [0002]The high ratio between mechanical properties and weight causes Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Plastics (CFRPs) to be ever more successful, in terms both of variety of applications and of volumes of sale.[0003]However, though it is true that composite materials using reinforcement carbon fibers and the related technical fabrics are increasingly considered as the materials of the future, the problem of disposal of components manufactured therewith at the end of their service life has not yet been posed nor addressed adequately.[0004]For instance, to date CFRP and CF yarn manufacturing waste disposal occurred in a dump or by incineration. However, such solutions are very onerous, from both an economical ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention helps to turn carbon fibers that were previously recovered and reduced in length into semi-finished products that can be used to make new and high-quality products. This method and apparatus allow for the ease of use of these fibers, which was previously difficult, by overcoming workability issues. This results in better efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental friendliness as it avoids the need for disposal or incineration of waste. This invention encourages the reintroduction of recovered fibers on the market.

Problems solved by technology

However, though it is true that composite materials using reinforcement carbon fibers and the related technical fabrics are increasingly considered as the materials of the future, the problem of disposal of components manufactured therewith at the end of their service life has not yet been posed nor addressed adequately.

In general, fibers recovered with this method, taken individually, retain a fair part of the starting physical properties, but appear entangled and possibly contaminated by other materials and dusty residues.

Moreover, the problem of the effective re-use of recycled fibers in an industrial field, i.e. of the manufacturing of semi-finished products directly usable in a primary production chain, remains anyhow open.

In this connection, besides the afore-mentioned drawbacks there should also be considered:the excessive fragility of recovered carbon fibers, which causes the industrial processing systems to be too invasive, breaking up, until pulverizing, a significant part of the carbon fibers treated;the remarkable susceptivity of the fibers themselves to electrostatic phenomena, making their processing particularly difficult;the electrical conductivity of the fibers at issue, posing the need to safeguard processing apparatuses and machines from the risk of short circuits; andthe risks in terms of salubrity and safety, associated to the dispersion of such short fibers in the work environment.

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