Is carbon fibre biodegradable? (3 reasons why) 

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The article will discuss the biodegradability of carbon fibre. It will also elucidate the recycling aspects and prospects. Content will be curated and proposed on the sustainability of the said material. 

Is carbon fibre biodegradable?

To decide a stance on the biodegradability of carbon fibre, what we need to do is to assess the materials and the origin of those materials that are used to make carbon fibres. 

Carbon fibres can be explained as fibres of carbon. These fibres are made from materials such as polyacrylonitrile, rayon, and petroleum pitch. However, it must be stated that the most common material remains to be polyacrylonitrile, otherwise known as PAN. 

PAN does not show biodegradation properties because of the longevity or durability of the material. Therefore, carbon fibres can not be said to be biodegradable as these fibres are made as such to exist and resist nature. 

Another reason that buys carbon fibre the status of being non-biodegradable is the particular inside. To understand it better, we need to delve into the essence of biodegradation. 

Biodegradation can be explained or defined as a process in which waste is broken down into simpler materials by the action of microbes. As a result, the waste is assimilated back into nature. 

However, biodegradation is not as simple as it may seem. For the process to occur, there are certain necessary prerequisites that are essential. One of these prerequisites is that the material should be natural and also organic because otherwise, the microbes will not be able to ingest or digest anything.

Is carbon fibre recyclable?

Since it has been established that carbon fibre is not biodegradable, the other big question that needs to be asked is whether it is recyclable or not because recycling is often regarded as one of the best ways to deal with non-biodegradable waste. 

However, it is not all roses when it comes to the recycling of carbon fibres. There are certain aspects that introduce many ambiguities and equivocalities to the topic at hand. 

The recycling of carbon fibre is possible but not widely. There are limited centres that accept the recycling of carbon fibres. Therefore, it can be assumed that the recycling of carbon fibres is limited. 

Another aspect or rather reservation that is associated or anchored with carbon fibre recycling is that the utility offered by carbon fibres may be compromised once they are recycled and therefore, the recycled carbon fibre can not be used for grade A applications such as automotive industries or aerospace industries. 

The recycled carbon fibre use can be reserved for uses such as sports equipment and other applications where strength is not the ultimate priority. 

How to get it done?

It has been established in the previous section that carbon fibre recycling is a limited option and therefore, it is rather logical to assume that the recycling of carbon fibre will not be available everywhere. 

What this means is that carbon fibre can not be simply thrown in any recycling bin or centre. There needs to be validation done so that one can be ensured that a particular centre does accept recycling carbon fibres. 

Also, there are particular centres that are dedicated especially in the recycling of carbon fibres such as ELG carbon fibre. 

Is carbon fibre sustainable?

The answer to the question is rather equivocal or ambiguous. This is because carbon fibre is not sourced from nature and therefore, there are many questions that suspect the eco-friendliness and sustainability of carbon fibres. 

Thus, let us assess and deliberate the case and make assumptions to establish our case. We will try to answer both questions as to what makes carbon fibre sustainable and what makes it not. 

What makes carbon fibre sustainable? (3 reasons) 

Let us start with the major question. What makes carbon fibre sustainable? This can be summarised in the following points: 

  • Carbon fibre has often been termed the material of the future because of the wide applications rendered by the material and the advantages that travel along by. 
  • Carbon fibre is lightweight, which means that it can reduce fuel consumption in aeroplanes and cars because lighter material means less weight to worry about. 
  • Carbon fibre is extremely durable and therefore, it can last for a long time as compared to other competitive materials such as steel. It is estimated that carbon fibres are five times stronger than steel. 

What makes carbon fibre unsustainable?

Let us now also cover the points that make carbon fibre unsustainable. The major points include 

  • Carbon fibre is not biodegradable. This means that it will contribute to the waste generation and waste accumulation problems. 
  • It is also estimated that carbon fibre production also leads to the production of carbon fibre waste that is not utilised and rather ends up in landfills. 
  • Carbon fibre recycling is questionable and can not be easily and infinitely recycled as it can be done with its competitive material such as steel. Also, the recycling of carbon fibres consumes a considerable amount of energy. 

As a final verdict, it can be said that carbon fibre does offer many environmental advantages as it is more durable, leads to better fuel consumption and efficiency, and can last for a very long time. 

However, there are certain factors that sojourn carbon fibre away from the title of sustainability and one of the most important aspects in that regard is the recycling aspect. 

Therefore, it is expected that carbon fibre is made more sustainable in the years to come and further deliberation is done on the recycling aspect of it. Also, the use of scrap or unused carbon fibre will also advocate and make carbon fibre a sustainable material. 

What can we expect? 

It is expected that the reliance of carbon fibres on fossil fuels needs to be reduced. This will make carbon fibre one step closer to being sustainable. 

Work is being done in the production of carbon fibres made from biomaterials instead of fossil fuels. 

Also, the energy consumption of the carbon fibre-making process needs to be worked on. Further, the recycling of carbon fibre also needs to be facilitated and made common just like steel is recycled. 

Conclusion 

It is concluded that carbon fibre is not biodegradable. These fibres are made from materials such as polyacrylonitrile, rayon, and petroleum pitch. However, it must be stated that the most common material remains to be polyacrylonitrile, otherwise known as PAN. 

PAN does not show biodegradation properties because of the longevity or durability of the material. Therefore, carbon fibres can not be said to be biodegradable as these fibres are made as such to exist and resist nature. 

The article also discussed the recycling of carbon fibre and discussed points that made carbon fibre both sustainable and unsustainable. 

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