Catalytic alcoholysis of fiberglass reinforced epoxy resin composites

The article presents the results of a study of alcoholysis of fiberglass reinforced epoxy resin composites obtained by vacuum infusion. To intensify alcoholysis, chlorides, nitrates and sulfates of cobalt (II) and copper (II) were introduced into the reaction medium in an amount of 5% of the mass of ethyl alcohol for each system. The efficiency of the system was assessed based on data from the analysis of mass change of composite samples during alcoholysis, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the presence of metal chlorides contributes to 5 times increase of the alcoholysis velocity. The residual strength of the recovered fiber samples obtained is at least 95%.