Chemical recycling of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) containing an amine-cured epoxy as the matrix resin was investigated with a process using supercritical alcohols or ketones as solvents. Amine cured epoxy resin was decomposed by a supercritical solvent (methanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, tert-butanol, acetone, or methyl ethyl ketone) at 320 degrees C in the reaction time range 6-120 min. The decomposition rate depended on the solvent, and super- and subcritical acetone were ultimately selected as optimal for rapidly degrading the matrix resin. The decomposition rate of the epoxy resin using supercritical acetone was expressed by a surface reaction and shrinking core model. The recovered carbon fibers from the CFRP retained the shape of the plain fabric sheets and their tensile strength reduction was negligible. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.