2021 LEO Award Winner – Andy He
C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S
to PhD Student Andy He
for winning the 2021 LEO Award
as part of the 28TH CIRP Conference on Lifecycle Engineering
The scientific topics for the 28th Conference on Life Cycle Engineering will cover all phases of the life cycle and further include paradigms ranging from digitalization to water-energy nexus. We encourage to submit publications with innovative application areas such as consumer and industrial electronics, mobility (new energy vehicles, future aviation) or agricultural production systems.
Abstract
Recycled carbon fibre (rCF) is a potential material for sustainable vehicle lightweighting but its realistic environmental impacts are still unclear. In this study, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) investigates the primary energy demand (PED) and global warming potential (GWP) of using rCF reinforced Polyamide 66 (PA66) for a side-view mirror bracket, in comparison with its conventional cast aluminium counterpart. Results indicate that using rCF+PA66 with 40wt% rCF in the US can achieve around 13% and 34% reduction in the PED/GWP of the cradle-to-gate phases and the use phase, respectively. Scenario analysis is also carried out to understand the impact of geographical setting and fibre content in rCF+PA66. It shows that replacing aluminium with 40wt% rCF+PA66 in the EU saves 31.5% and 29.7% more cradle-to-gate PED and GWP, respectively, than in the US. A higher reduction of 43.4% and 41.2% in the cradle-to-grave PED and GWP compared to aluminium can be achieved by increasing fibre mass fraction.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2021.01.003