Mechanical recycling of glassfiber reinforced composites used in the automotive industry and their utilization in polyamide composites

This study aims to highlight the mechanical performance, environmental sustainability, carbon footprint, and industrial application potential of recycled PA6+GF15 material while shedding light on the comparison of PA6+GF15 materials obtained at different recycling rates. Through this research, the impact of recycled material on composite performance will be better understood, marking a significant step toward a more sustainable automotive industry. In this thesis, Polyamide 6 (PA6) composites containing 15% glass fiber (GF), commonly used in the automotive industry, were evaluated within the scope of mechanical recycling processes. New composites containing different proportions of recycled material were produced, and their mechanical, thermal, and microstructural properties were examined in detail using advanced analyses. The prepared composites were manufactured through mechanical shredding, mechanical blending, and final operations in an injection molding unit, taking into account practicality and cost-efficiency. The research evaluates the effects of increasing recycling rates on material performance in terms of tensile strength, impact resistance, thermal stability (TGA), melting and crystallization properties (DSC), and microstructural homogeneity (SEM). Additionally, it reveals the potential of using recycled materials to enhance sustainability and cost efficiency while reducing environmental impacts, particularly CO2 emissions. The results demonstrate that composites produced with 10% and 20% recycling rates exhibit properties close to those of the original material, making them suitable for industrial applications. However, higher recycling rates lead to performance losses.