Effect of mechanical recycling on short glass fibre reinforced polyamide 6,6 from post-industrial waste

Recycling post-industrial plastic waste offers a series of advantages over post-consumer recycling due to the uncontaminated nature, stable composition, and limited degradation of the waste stream. However, manufacturers remain cautious about adopting this strategy for composite materials used for electrical applications, mainly due to the stringent requirements of the industry. In this study, we try to fill this gap by studying the effect of post-industrial recycling on glass fibre reinforced polyamide 6,6 for electrical applications. Extensive characterization of mechanical, thermal, electrical properties is performed to ensure compliance with strict specifications required for the application in ABB’s low-voltage circuit breakers. The findings contribute to the technical knowledge on post-industrial recycling of glass-fibre reinforced composite materials, aiding manufacturers in implementing this sustainable and cost-effective process.