Available technologies
Contaminated waste PVC conversion to carbon fibres
Team
Physical Science
Industry
Materials
Sector
Advanced Materials
Carbon fibre is a valuable resource for making carbon fibre composites and a method is needed for a low-cost option to take contaminated waste PVC (and plasticised PVC) and turn it into carbon fibres at a lower cost than traditional processes using Polyacrylonitrile (PAN).
Researchers at The University of Queensland have developed a novel process of taking contaminated waste PVC, separating it from contaminants, chemically stabilising the fibres and converting them to lower weight/high strength carbon fibres with high carbon yield after heating. This process could significantly lower the cost of producing carbon fibre from PVC.
Key features
- Contaminated or mixed waste PVC conversion to high yield carbon fibre. Inexpensive feedstock and environmentally friendly.
- Virgin PVC conversion to high yield carbon fibre. Higher fibre rate production and no solvent required.
- PVC feedstock lowers costs by replacing established technology using PAN for carbon fibre
