recycling glass fiber reinforced plastics such as PA (polyamide/nylon) GF35 or PC (polycarbonate) GF40 is a growing demand in the plastics industry. Injection molding sprues, runners, and defective parts often contain 35%–40% glass fiber, making them too valuable to discard. With the right plastic recycling machines, these materials can be reprocessed into high-quality granules suitable for reuse in automotive, electronics, and industrial applications.

This article explains the professional process of PA recycling and PC recycling, and how a glass fiber reinforced plastic recycling line can help manufacturers reduce costs and support sustainability.

1. Challenges of Recycling Glass Fiber Reinforced PA/PC

• High abrasion: Glass fibers wear down standard equipment quickly, requiring wear-resistant screws and barrels.

• High melting temperature: PA and PC require precise extrusion temperature control to avoid degradation.

• Moisture sensitivity: Especially for PA, drying before extrusion is critical to maintain mechanical strength.

2. Recommended Recycling Process

Step 1: Collection & Sorting

• Collect injection molding sprues and runners.

• Remove impurities such as metals, oils, or mixed plastics.

Step 2: Size Reduction

• Use a plastic crusher for glass fiber reinforced plastics.

• Target flake size: 8–12 mm for stable feeding into the extruder.

Step 3: Drying

• PA (Nylon): 80–100°C for 6–8 hours

• PC: 120–130°C for 4–6 hours

• Drying prevents hydrolysis and improves final pellet performance.

Step 4: Extrusion & Compounding

• Process the material using a twin screw extruder for reinforced plastics.

• Recommended temperature settings:

  PA: 230–270°C

  PC: 260–300°C

• Apply vacuum venting to remove volatiles and moisture.

• Use abrasion-resistant screw design to reduce glass fiber breakage and preserve reinforcement length.

Step 5: Pelletizing

• Convert the melt into granules using a Strand Pelletizer or water-ring pelletizing system.

• Granule size: 3–4 mm, suitable for injection molding reuse.

3. Benefits of PA/PC Recycling with Glass Fiber

• Cost reduction: Replace part of virgin material with recycled granules.

• Sustainability: Reduce plastic waste and support a circular economy.

• High performance: Recycled PA GF35 or PC GF40 granules retain good mechanical strength when processed correctly.

4. Applications of Recycled PA/PC Granules

• Automotive: engine covers, brackets, under-the-hood components

• Electrical & Electronics: connectors, housings, enclosures

• Industrial machinery: gears, structural components requiring high stiffness

5. Recommended Equipment for PA/PC GF Recycling

As a professional plastic recycling machine manufacturer, we offer complete solutions for glass fiber reinforced plastic recycling:

• Heavy-duty plastic crushers for reinforced materials

• Twin screw extruders for glass fiber plastics with wear-resistant barrels

• PC and PA pelletizing lines with stable high output

• Customized granule production systems for automotive and electronics industries

Conclusion

With the right PA recycling machine or PC pelletizing line, users can recycle injection molding sprues with 35%–40% glass fiber into high-quality granules. This not only lowers raw material costs but also strengthens sustainability efforts in high-performance plastic applications.

If you are looking for a reliable glass fiber reinforced plastic recycling machine supplier, contact us to customize a solution for your production needs.