Recycling SMC waste through pyrolysis for sustainable production of automotive components

Date

2025-1-10

Author

Durmuş, Barkın

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Due to their crosslinked structure, conventional methods cannot reuse thermoset composites, and recycling methods are expensive or harmful. These composites contain valuable inorganic components crucial for a circular economy and sustainable production. Employing products derived from the polymer matrix also supports these objectives. This study develops a method to recycle sheet molding compound (SMC) waste from tractor manufacturing and vehicles, enabling the reuse of recovered solids in tractor applications. Liquid products are characterized, and potential uses are proposed, while a literature review informs the reuse of gaseous products. Laboratory-scale trials evaluate pyrolysis, oxidation, and pyrolysis followed by oxidation. Pyrolysis employs a 15 °C/min heating rate, while oxidation heats samples to 500 °C at 10 °C/min with a 50-minute hold. Based on the results, pyrolysis is selected, eliminating the need for fiber cleaning. A pilot-scale process is implemented, collecting condensable products, and employing a new protocol: heating to 400 °C at 10 °C/min with a 10-minute hold, followed by 600 °C at 5 °C/min with a 60-minute hold, avoiding CaCO3 decomposition. Recovered glass vi fibers and solids replace CaCO3 in bulk molding compound (BMC) at 5%, 10%, and 15%. Mechanical testing identifies 10% as the optimal substitution, enabling the fabrication of a tractor component that meets the required specifications. Characterization methods for solids include TGA, DSC, FTIR, XRD, XRF, EDX, SEM, and optical microscopy, while GC-MS and a bomb calorimeter are used for liquids. Finally, simulation and bump testing validate the recycled tractor part.

Subject Keywords

Pyrolysis, Automotive, Sustainability, SMC, Recycling

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11511/113427

Collections

Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Thesis