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Applying environmental life-cycle analysis to materials

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Abstract

The life-cycle analysis (LCA) of products is essentially the LCA of materials: both are concurrently and interdependently analyzed and assessed according to their environmental effects. This approach provides a framework to measure the extrinsic environmental properties of materials. In the following, three properties—gross energy requirement, global-warming potential, and solid-waste burden—are broadly discussed for steel, aluminum, and polyethylene. The environmental profiles are then applied to assess the use of alternative materials in terms of the LCA of an automotive component. Given the possibility of a substantial variation in results, one must be careful with the scoping and assessment of LCA. Despite the limitations, it provides a useful map for improving environmental compatibility and performance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Toronto, USA

    Steven B. Young M.A.Sc., Ph.D. student (member of TMS) & Willem H. Vanderburg Ph.D. (director of the Centre for Technology and Social Development and is an associate professor)

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  1. Steven B. Young M.A.Sc., Ph.D. student
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  2. Willem H. Vanderburg Ph.D.
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Young, S.B., Vanderburg, W.H. Applying environmental life-cycle analysis to materials. JOM 46, 22–27 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03220669

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