METHOD OF REGENERATING THERMOSET EPOXY RESIN AND COMPOSITION FOR REGENERATION OF THERMOSET RESIN

摘要

A method comprising: a step in which a resinous structure comprising a thermoset epoxy resin having ester bonds and at least one member selected from inorganic fibers and an inorganic filler is treated with a supercritical or subcritical alcohol in the absence of any catalyst to selectively cleave the ester bonds of the thermoset epoxy resin and thereby decompose the thermoset epoxy resin; a step in which the decomposition products are separated into liquid matter and the inorganic fibers and/or inorganic filler; a step in which the alcohol is removed from the separated liquid matter to recover a decomposed epoxy resin; and a step in which the decomposed epoxy resin recovered is reacted with a hardener to produce a re-cured resin, the hardener being used in an amount of 25-55 mass% relative to the sum of the decomposed epoxy resin and the hardener.  By this method, a thermoset epoxy resin can be decomposed at a relatively low temperature into components which can be cured again.  A re-cured resin equal or superior in strength to the original thermoset epoxy resin is obtained.