MaterialsWeek 2025
Poster
Recyclable or One-Way Composites: Evaluating the Durability of Elium vs. Epoxy Glass Fibre Composites
CR

Dr. Carol Rodricks

Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM)

Rodricks, C. (Speaker)¹; Kalinka, G.¹; Lungershausen, J.¹; Trappe, V.¹
¹Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Berlin

Fibre-reinforced polymers are widely used, particularly in lightweight construction, due to their high strength-to-weight ratio and versatility. The expansion of wind turbines calls for ever-lighter materials, and polymer matrix composites are well-positioned to meet this need, offering the necessary strength and long-term durability with reduced weight. However, conventional thermoset composites, such as epoxy-based systems, pose significant recycling challenges as they cannot be easily reprocessed or remoulded. A promising alternative is Elium, a novel thermoplastic resin that offers mechanical properties similar to thermoset polymers while providing the added benefit of chemical recyclability through solvolysis in acetone. This raises an important question: can a recyclable Elium composite match or even surpass the durability of a conventional epoxy composite, particularly in demanding structural applications? In our study, we compare the fatigue performance of Elium (191SA, 151-XO) glass fibre composites to conventional epoxy (RIMR 135, RIMH 137) glass fibre composites. Results indicate that Elium composites demonstrate superior fatigue resistance compared to their epoxy counterparts. The combination of enhanced fatigue durability and chemical recyclability highlights the potential of Elium composites as a sustainable alternative to conventional epoxy-based systems for long-term structural applications. 

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