A life cycle analysis of novel lightweight composite processes: Reducing the environmental footprint of automotive structures

In this study, three novel thermoplastic impregnation processes were analyzed towards automotive applications. The first process is compression resin transfer molding in which a glass fiber mat impregnated through thickness by polymer. second melt-thermoplastic Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) the fibers are plane with help of spacer. third process, stamp forming hybrid bicomponent fibers, coats individually during production. coated used to produce fabric, then further processed forming. These compared life cycle analysis (LCA) against conventional either or carbon and metal steel aluminum that can be new, partly fully recycled using case study production, disposal car bonnet. presented LCA includes main phases process: extraction preparation raw materials, production mold, energy losses. To include bonnet, amount diesel drive weight bonnet for 300′000 km calculated. LCA, integrated analyzing recycling incineration. results show potential developed producing automobile parts, as same range