Abstract: The pyrolysis process of a scrap carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin matrix composite has been studied under different heating rates of 6.67 ℃·min^-1, 10 ℃·min^-1 and 13.33 ℃·min^-1 using thermogravimetric methods. The effects on pyrolysis of the composite of varying atmosphere and heating rate were studied. The results show that the pyrolysis heating rate and atmosphere both have a significant effect. In a nitrogen atmosphere the scrap carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin matrix composite has only one thermal decomposition stage and follows a first-order reaction model. In air there are two decomposition stages following a second-order reaction model and a 0.5-order reaction model. The apparent activation energy and frequency factor of the thermal decomposition of the scrap carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin matrix composite are both increased significantly when the heating rate is increased. In the nitrogen atmosphere the apparent activation energy is 55.84 kJ·mol^-1. In air the apparent activation energy of the first weightlessness phase is 39.24 kJ·mol^-1, and the apparent activation energy of the second weightlessness stage is -8.62 kJ·mol^-1.

Key words: carbon fibre , scrap matrix composite, pyrolysis, thermo-gravimetric analysis, kinetics