Consider the following statements: 1. Carbon fibres are used in the manufacture of components used in automobiles and aircrafts. 2. Carbon fibres once used cannot be recycled. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Answer: A. Only Statement 1 is correct. Statement 1 is CORRECT. Carbon fibres are widely used in automobile and aircraft components for their strength-to-weight ratio. Carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRPs) appear in body panels, structural members, rims, and aerospace primary structures (Boeing 787 fuselage is about 50% carbon fibre composite by weight). Lightweighting reduces fuel consumption and emissions. Statement 2 is WRONG. Carbon fibres CAN be recycled. Mechanical recycling (chopping), thermal recycling (pyrolysis) and chemical recycling (solvolysis) processes recover carbon fibres from end-of-life composites for reuse in lower-grade applications. Recycled carbon fibre is a growing commercial product. While the recycled fibres typically have somewhat reduced mechanical properties compared to virgin, the recycling process is well established. Source: ICE / CSIR Composite Engineering research / global aerospace material studies.