Compressive failure of reclaimed carbon fibre-reinforced composites in respect to virgin carbon fibre composites.

The EuCIA report [https://eucia.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Reimagining-end-of-use-composites-as-a-new-resource.pdf [eucia.eu]] calculates that of 914kT of composite waste in 2025 only 5kT is currently recycled. It identifies 228kT as a short term target for a sustainable low carbon and circular economy. However, for high value recycling the structural performance of the recycled composite (rCFRP) must be assured. Working with Cygnet Texkimp on Ford's hydrogen tank development as well as the MSCA horizon 2020 RELIANCE consortium, we will characterize kink band formation in continuous rCFRP using ID19's unique capabilities. Unlike previous studies on idealized specimens, we examine production-grade materials with inherent fibre misalignment (5-10°) and reclamation-induced damage. Using protocols we developed in ME-1605, we will capture failure dynamics at 20kHz while mapping damage evolution via interrupted CT.