By: Emily King, UT graduate student and IACMI guest writer
The University of Tennessee Fibers and Composites Manufacturing Facility (FCMF) is home to many research projects centered on the research and development of a wide range of fibers and composite materials. One of these projects, led by Dr. Uday Vaidya and his team of over 30 undergraduate and graduate students, investigates the ability to recycle composites.
To begin the recycling process, the lab starts with end-of-life composite parts, for example, carbon fiber components such as seat back rests, wings, or floor structures from a decommissioned aircraft. Next, the students shred the composite in a recycling shredder in the FCMF that reduces the composite into shreds (flakes). Students then process the shreds in different processes such as extrusion, injection, and compression molding to create value-added products. The ability to repurpose these materials eliminates the need for landfill and energy intensive material disposal. This entire process can be done in the newly renovated FCMF, where students are provided a hands-on experience.
As interest and the ability to use composites and advanced materials grows in the manufacturing sector, the capacity to increase efficiency also increases. Dr. Nitil Hiremath, a staff member at FCMF, explains, “This work is important because it can generate a new workforce to recycle and use aerospace grade fibers in automotive and industrial applications.” The research Dr. Uday Vaidya’s team is conducting in the FCMF will enable increased cost-, material-, and energy-efficient composites manufacturing.