Page 25 - Polymer-based Nanocomposites for Energy and Environmental Applications

4 Polymer-based Nanocomposites for Energy and Environmental Applications

Powdered fillers
Mechanical recycling Fibrous products
(comminution)
Recycling process for Thermoset composites Combination with

energy recovery

Clean fibers and fillers
Fluidized bed process
Thermal processes
with energy recovery
Chemical products,
Pyrolysis
fibers and fillers
Fig. 1.3 Recycling techniques for thermosetting-based composites.
Derived from Pickering SJ. Recycling technologies for thermoset composite materials—current
status. Compos Part A 2006;37:1206–15.

analyze the brittle fracture in epoxy-based thermoset polymer with mechanical load-
ing. In this research, the ductile behaviors of amorphous polymers were studied by
traditional MD simulation methodology via assessing the stress-strain response out
of the yield point. There are some techniques that can be carried out to recycle
thermosetting polymer (Fig. 1.3).
In contrast to thermoplastic polymers, thermosetting polymers cannot be remolded
due to their cross-linked status. But, some thermosetting polymers such as polyure-
thane can be converted slightly easily to their initial monomer, even though the more
prevalent thermosetting resins (e.g., polyester and epoxy) cannot be depolymerize
practically to their original constituents [21].

1.2.3 Applicable polymer matrixes

1.2.3.1 Polyamide matrixes
The presence of amid groups is the main characteristic of polyamide polymers [22].
For example, Fig. 1.4 shows the carbon chain that contains dCOdNHd groups
interspersed at specific distances among it regarding to polyamide polymers that
are generally named nylon [23].

H H H H H H H H H H
N C C C C C C N C C C C C C
H H H H H H H H O H H H H O
Fig. 1.4 Structure of the repeat unit in nylon 66 as a polyamide material [23].