Life Cycle Assessment And Sensitivity Analysis Of Auto Bodies Made Of Lightweight Materials

Lightweight of automobile was used widely for saving resource andreducing environmental impact effectively. Replacing common material withlightweight materials is one of the principal pathways to realize lightweight. Ascompared to common steel, lightweight materials can be used for reducing fuelconsumption of the automobile effectively and decreasing environmental impactin driving phase. According to the existing Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) theory,the single driving phase was expanded to raw material, machining, transport,driving and recovery processing phases. Environmental impact of product orsystem was analysised comprehensively. Consequently, LCA of auto bodies madeof lightweight materials is extremely necessary.The theory of LCA was utilized. Environmental impacts of auto bodies madeof lightweight materials in the life cycle main phases were assessed. Combinedwith ISO14000, the base theory of LCA was expounded. Domestic and overseasmethodologies and application of LCA were summarized. The LCA model of autobodies made of lightweight materials was established. Body frame and typicalcovering part (hood) were select as subject to assessment. Integrated LCA model,the life cycle inventory data of the various phases was analysed. Theenvironmental impacts of body frame and hood made of lightweight materialswere assessed. Environmental impact and contribution of the various impacts inlife cycle main phases were obtained. The dynamic relationship between drivingdistance and environmental impacts of there frames made of different materialswas discussed. The time node when used lightweight materials begin to reduceenvironmental pollution as compared to common materials was identified. Finally,the result of LCA was analysed. The most severely affected by life cycle phaseand type of environmental impact were identified. The major factors of the bodylife cycle environmental impact were determined, and instructionalrecommendations were put forward. That is used to guide eco-product design andenvironmental decision-making.