Research by UK engineers on carbon fiber recycling for aircraft

The aircraft and motor industries could become much greener thanks to new research into carbon fiber recycling by engineers at The University of Nottingham.

Aircraft manufacturers are increasingly using carbon fiber instead of metal to build their aircraft because it is lighter and stronger, but at the moment there is no commercial use of "recycled" carbon fiber in the industry. That could be about to change thanks to a unique research project led by the University's Faculty of Engineering.

According to the news release from the University, the AFRECAR (Affordable Recycled Carbon Fibers) project will develop low-cost, high-strength manufacturing materials based on recycled carbon fiber. These can be used as lightweight structural reinforcement in the aerospace and motor industries in non-critical applications such as seats, overhead lockers and other interior features on aircraft and body panels in cars.