Mechanical assessment of composite laminates reinforced with recycled fibreglass and polymeric particles

Recycling composite materials presents a viable solution to reduce waste and promote sustainability, yet challenges remain in maintaining mechanical performance and feasibility for reuse. This study evaluates the strength of recycled composite materials and experimentally investigates their feasibility. Composite plates were produced using thermoset resin reinforced with fibreglass, with variations incorporating recycled fibreglass scraps and polymeric particles from automotive components. Mechanical characterisation was conducted through tensile, shear, mode I and mode II fracture tests, to assess their structural integrity. Results demonstrated that the plate containing fibreglass particles, from recycled sources, exhibited the most favourable balance between mechanical properties and cost-effectiveness. A case study on a wind turbine blade reinforced the potential of recycled composites for industrial applications, highlighting fibreglass fibre reinforcement as the most promising option from a sustainability perspective. Among the recycled reinforcements investigated, reclaimed fibreglass particles provided superior tensile modulus and strength compared to PA and PP particles owing to the intrinsically high stiffness and strength of fibreglass, even in discontinuous form coupled with the preserved silane sizing that ensures strong interfacial bonding with the epoxy matrix. These findings contribute to the advancement of composite recycling strategies, promoting the circular economy while maintaining material performance for structural applications.