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Waste Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites have become an environmental issue in China, Europe, and the United States. However, recycling waste FRP composites poses sustainability challenges in the long term because their predominantly cross-linked structure (thermoset matrices coating) typically cannot be re-used or re-processed. Here, for the first time, we studied the merits of introducing recycled glass fibers (rGF) to bitumen to enhance bitumen's durability as measured by resistance to aging and resistance to moisture damage. We compared the reinforcement efficacy of recycled glass fibers (rGF) with recycled glass fibers after the polymer coating was removed (rGFWP) and with virgin glass fibers (vGF). After aging, compared to the bitumen with rGFWP, the bitumen containing rGF showed enhanced resistance to oxidative aging, as evidenced by lower values of two indexes of chemical aging (a 64.5% lower carbonyl index and a 94.5% lower sulfoxide index), a 47.10% lower increase in the ratio of large molecular size, and a 61.41% lower rheological aging index. Moreover, bitumen containing recycled glass fiber demonstrated noticeably improved resistance to moisture damage as compared to base bitumen, particularly for rGFWP, as demonstrated by energy ratio (ER) values that were 478% higher. The resistance to moisture damage of bitumen containing rGF was also significant improved, as evidenced by a 72.78% increase in surface energy, the better MISTI value (the least variation from a value of one), and a 213% higher ER value compared to base bitumen. This indicates that recycled glass fibers have positive effects on the durability of bitumen composites. The outstanding durability of bitumen with recycled glass fibers highlights the feasibility of adding recycled glass fibers to bitumen as a practical application that provides an economic and environmentally friendly solution for waste glass fibers. Use of recycled glass fiber in bitumen enhance its durability and delays aging. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP), especially glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP), has been widely used in construction, navigation, transportation, and chemical engineering due to its excellent physical and mechanical properties. As a result, a great amount of waste GFRP is produced which leads to serious environmental pollution, and an efficient treatment method of waste GFRP is urgently needed. In this research, the waste epoxy-based GFRP composite powder was recycled as an mineral filler alternative for the fabrication of asphalt mastics, and the properties of the GFRP powder asphalt mastics were investigated. The results show that the waste GFRP powder has a greater specific surface area and lower density than limestone fillers. The regular cylindrical particles in GFRP powder are found to show an anti-put-off effect which improves the medium and high-temperature performance, rutting resistance, and fatigue resistance of asphalt mastics. However, the lower density of waste GFRP powder, which takes up a higher volume ratio in asphalt mastics compared with limestone filler at the same mass ratio, has negative effects on the low-temperature performance of asphalt mastics. Waste GFRP powder can also improve the aging resistance and moisture resistance of asphalt mastics. This research provides a feasible solution for the recovery of GFRP waste with low energy consumption and pollution production. It also contributes to the sustainable development of pavement infrastructure construction. • The broken glass fiber show an anti-put off effect in asphalt mastics. • GFRP asphalt mastic has great high-temperature performance and fatigue resistance. • Waste GFRP powders can improve the aging and moisture resistance of asphalt mastics. • The positive effect of waste GFRP powder is due to its special microstructure and physical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]