Mark W. Pharaoh

An introduction to composites recycling

Abstract: This chapter discusses the broad spectrum of physical attributes and mechanical properties of the entire family of polymer composites, which make some an inherently viable recycling proposition whilst leaving others consigned to landfill. All common material types are covered, from the high value speciality polymer matrices such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and carbon reinforcements, through to commodity materials such as polypropylene (PP) and glass. The question of what makes a material ‘recyclable’ is considered in terms of ease of recovery, practicalities of the recycling process itself and, importantly, the demand for the resultant recyclate material – effectively, the economics behind recycling these materials. This question inevitably covers some of the existing legislation that drives the economic argument. The effect of parameters such as raw material format, subsequent material processing, resultant reinforcement architecture and in-service usage all have on the economic viability are considered.

Pattern recognition of fiber-reinforced plastic failure mechanism using computational intelligence techniques

Acoustic Emission (AE) can be used to discriminate the different types of damage occurring in composite materials, because any AE signal contains useful information about the damage mechanisms. A major issue in the use of the AE technique is how to discriminate the AE signatures which are due to the different damage mechanisms. Conventional studies have focused on the analysis of different parameters of such signals, say the frequency. But in previous publications where the frequency is employed to differentiate between events, only one frequency is considered and this frequency was not enough to thoroughly describe the behavior of the composite material. So we introduced the second frequency. A Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is then applied to the signals resulting from the two frequencies to discriminate different failure mechanisms. This was achieved by using self-organizing map and Fuzzy C-means to cluster the AE data. The result shows that the two approaches have been very successful.

Development of recyclable self-reinforced polypropylene parts for automotive applications

Self-Reinforced Polypropylene (SRPP) offers competitive mechanical properties, higher recyclability and reduced weight compared to glass fibre-reinforced PP, making it attractive to the automotive industry. The technologies required to produce finished automotive components from SRPP have been developed during a UK-based project, called RECYCLE and supported by the UK government. Forming processes and associated tooling systems have been developed based on matched tool stamping. Suitable joining techniques have been identified, including adhesive bonding and welding and all-PP sandwich panels have been produced and tested. Automotive finishes, such as exterior paint and interior fabrics, have been applied successfully. The technology has been demonstrated in two automotive case studies - an exterior panel for the Lotus Elise and an interior cover panel. Significant weight savings have been identified compared to current production parts and the technology has been shown to be sustainable from environmental, social and economic viewpoints.

T1268 Gut Bio-Regulation in Health and Disease: Fermentonomic Insights – A Pilot Study

Background: Resident colonic bacteria, principally anaerobes and firmicutes, ferment undigested fibre, leading to the formation of volatile organic compounds (VOC). These are passed in faeces but also possibly absorbed and excreted in the urine. We hypothesised that the “fermentation profile” (FP), as seen in faeces and urine, may differ in health and in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and in the latter may change as the patient responds to treatment. Aim: Pilot study to determine if FP in faeces and urine can be recognised and reliably measured and to examine if there were identifiable differences in health and IBD. Methods: Healthy volunteers n=2; Longitudinal study of IBD patients: ulcerative colitis (UC) n=1, studied when acutely ill and when better on treatment; Crohns disease (CD) n=1, at the beginning and during the course of Infliximab therapy. Samples of faeces and urine were analysed fresh and after storage for 2 weeks. VOC were released by heating (thermal desorption, TD) separated by gas chromatography (GC) and identified by mass spectroscopy (MS). The noise in GC data was cleaned using Clearview software ©Markes. Results: Initial technical developments were made using horse, cow and chicken faeces: each showed a very large number of peaks, some shared. Volunteers within-run variability: <15% for faeces but <10% for urine, reflecting its more uniform nature. Data from urine VOC is presented here. All individuals showed a wide range of peaks, which could be grouped into 5 broad categories (expressed as % of total compounds present). IBD patients showed higher levels of TAK but lower levels of TOA. The IBD VOC profile changed with improvement on treatment: CD: HB Index fell from 4 to 0 at week 6; the TOA and PG levels fluctuated. UC: SCA Index fell from 4 to 3; VOC profile showed changes similar to those in CD and in addition, loss of high molecular weight compounds. Conclusion: We have observed: 1 Clear differences in VOC profiles between healthy volunteers and IBD patients 2 Improvement in IBD during treatment was associated with change in VOC profile. We believe the study of FPs using TD-GC/MS offers new insights into gut health which have clinical relevance.

An information breakdown and discussion of opportunities from the WEEE directive

The forthcoming EU directive on Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment will have far-reaching effects throughout the supply chain. Important factors are discussed such as the directives scope and policing, design and disassembly and potential market opportunities within and outside the existing supply chain.

The WEEE Directive : information and opportunities for plastics recycling

The forthcoming EU directive on Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment will have far reaching effects throughout the plastics supply chain. Important factors are discussed such as the directives scope and policing, design and disassembly and potential market opportunities within and outside the existing supply chain.

An information breakdown and discussion of opportunities from the WEEE Directive

The forthcoming EU Directive on Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment will have far reaching effects throughout the supply chain. Important factors are discussed, such as the Directives scope and policing, design and disassembly and potential market opportunities within and outside the existing supply chain.