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?
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2

Question from UPSC Prelims 2023 GS Paper

Explanation :

Correct Answer – a. 1 only

Carbon fibres

Statement 1: Correct. Carbon fibres are extensively utilized in the manufacturing of components for automobiles and aircrafts due to their high strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and high-temperature tolerance. These attributes make carbon fibres highly beneficial for reducing weight and improving fuel efficiency.

Statement 2: Incorrect. While recycling carbon fibres presents challenges due to their high strength and the complexity of breaking them down, it is indeed feasible. Various methods, such as pyrolysis and solvolysis, have been developed for the effective recovery and reuse of carbon fibres from composite waste.