United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Exploratory
Research
Washington DC 20460
Research and Development
EPA-600/S8-82-019 Oct. 1982
Project Summary
Assessment of Future
Environmental Trends and
Problems of Increased Use,
Recycling, and Combustion of
Fiber-Reinforced, Plastic and
Metal Composite Materials
Ted Lynch, Larry Davies, and Justine Alchowiak
A mini-assessment of increased
use, recycling, and combustion of
composite materials was performed.
The objective of the study was to
produce information which will assist
EPA to decide whether a potential
environmental problem is likely to
occur, whether it is likely to be a
significant problem, and whether
research is necessary. The assessment
addressed two major areas: (1) the
state-of-the-art of composite materials
and (2) the risks associated with their
use, recycling, and combustion. The
state-of-the-art was determined through
a literature search and by direct
contact with industry experts. Then
chemical monographs were developed
for composites and their components
followed by an assessment of potential
environmental risks. No major health
related environmental risks were
identified. The combustion of Kevlar®
fiber and epoxy. polyester, and vinyl
ester resins produces combustion
products which have the potential for
health related environmental problems
under certain conditions.
This Project Summary was devel-
oped by EPA's Office of Exploratory
Research, Washington, DC, to an-
nounce key findings of the research
project that is fully documented in a
separate report of the same title (see
Project Report ordering information at
back).
Introduction
The purpose of this study for the
Office of Strategic Assessment and
Special Studies (OSASS) of the Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency was to
identify and define future environmental
concerns related to the increased use,
the recycling, and the combustion of
composite materials. Based upon the
results of this effort, OSASS will make a
preliminary determination of whether
further study of a concern or potential
problem is warranted.
First of all, it was determined that the
materials to be studied would include
both "reinforced plastics" (i.e., glass-
fiber reinforced plastic) and "composites"
(i.e., materials reinforced with advanced
fibers such as graphite, Kevlar®, boron,
etc.). Twenty-one components, both
fiber and matrices, were investigated.
Seven materials passed original screen-
ing as the key materials for in-depth
assessment: glass fiber, graphite fiber,
silicon carbide fiber, Kevlar® fiber,
epoxy resin, polyester resin, and vinyl
ester resin. An extensive background
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and literature search was performed to
assess future use trends and provide
data needed to perform an assessment
of the related public health and environ-
mental risks associated with the usage
trends. Chemical monographs were
generated and subsequently the potential
for environmental risk was assessed.
Conclusions
The usage trends associated with the
principal fibers and matrices investigated
were determined as shown in Tables 1
and 2.
Due to lack of quantitative data, only a
qualitative indication of risk could be
made. Based upon the qualitative data
available, the seven materials were
assigned to one of the following four
groups with the recommended follow-
up actions:
• Group 1 includes materials ortheir
combustion products which have
not been listed as hazardous by
EPA or for which no health or non-
health hazard has been identified
to date; therefore, further inves-
tigation can be postponed in favor
of materials in high priority groups.
• Group2 includes materials or their
combustion products which have
been identified as presenting some
potential for nonhealth related
hazards and, therefore, further in-
vestigation may be warranted to
resolve the uncertainties.
• Group 3 includes materials ortheir
combustion products which have
been identified as presenting some
potential for health related hazards
and, therefore, further investiga-
tion is warranted to resolve the un-
certainties. Follow-up actions
might involve making a scientif-
ically comprehensive risk assess-
ment and consideration for inclu-
sion in the appropriate EPA list
and/or investigation to identify
safe combustion practices.
• Group 4 includes materials or their
combustion products that have
been included on an existing EPA
toxic or hazardous substances list.
Based on the results of the assess-
ment, no major hazard was identified.
This applied to all materials with respect
Table 1. Projected Annual Production of Major Reinforcing Fibers
1980 - 2000
(Millions of Pounds}
Year
Fiber Type
Graphite
Glass
Kevlar®
Silicon carbide
whisker
Silicon carbide
filament
1980
2
880
1.2
0.002
0.0002
1990
27.6
1,200
8
1.5
0.1
2000
71.6
2,000
*
•ft
0.26
'Insufficient information to make reasonable estimate.
Table 2. Projected Annual Production of Major Matrix Materials
1980 - 2000
(Billions of Pounds)
Year
Resin Type
Polyester
Epoxy
Vinyl ester
1980
1.1
0.065
0.021
1990
1.6
0.13
0.03O
2000
2.4
0.25
0.05
to use. In the area of combustion, the
Kevlar® fiber and the organic resins
pose a potential problem and further
research is required to assure that no
hazard exists.
An analysis of the recycling options
open to the composite materials inves-
tigated indicate that the most econom-
ically and environmentally viable recy-
cling option would be burning for energy
output. The fact that various kinds of
fiber make up a major component of the
feedstock complicates the combustion
process. Graphite fibers should be con-
tained because atmospheric release
could result in electric problems in the
vicinity of the incinerator. Glass fibers
will present slag problems if they are
melted in the incinerator. A summary of
the ranking of the major materials
studied follows:
Use
Combustion
Graphite fiber
Glass Fiber
Silicon carbide
fiber
Epoxy resin
Polyester resin
ViViyl ester
resin
Kevlar® fiber
Group
Group
Group
Group
Group
Grdup
Group
Group 2
Grouf) 1
Group 1
Group 3
Group 3
Group 3
1 Group 3
In summary, in almost all aspects of
this study, no major hazard was identi-
fied. This holds true even though the
relative amounts of composites are
expected to grow dramatically, especially
"advanced composites." It was recom-
mended that the EPA continue its
investigation into environmentally safe
incineration technology applicable to
composite materials.
Ted Lynch, Larry Davies, and Justine Alchowiak are with Versar, Inc., Springfield,
VA 22151.
George Provenzano is the EPA Project Officer (see below).
The complete report, entitled "Assessment of Future Environmental Trends and
Problems of Increased Use, Recycling, and Combustion of Fiber-Reinforced,
Plastic and Metal Composite Materials," (Order No. PB 82-255 514; Cost:
$21.00, subject to change) will be available only from:
National Technical Information Service
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, VA22161
Telephone: 703-487-4650
The EPA Project Officer can be contacted at:
Office of Exploratory Research (RD-675)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC 20460
, U.8 OOVERWIEHTPRINT1NOOFFICE: 1MS-559-OI7/0844
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