ABSTRACT
Fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP) consisting of fiber reinforcements that are embedded in polymer matrices are high-performance engineering materials that are increasingly applied in different industrial sectors. Advantages of FRP include a high specific strength and stiffness, low thermal expansion, corrosion resistance, and high energy absorption capacity. However, the use of FRP might lead to increased environmental impacts compared to conventional engineering materials. The life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology provides foundational steps toward systematically identifying and quantifying energy and material flows and associated environmental impacts of products and processes.
This chapter presents a system model description for FRP complying with the LCA methodology. On that basis, challenges in performing LCA within the life cycle stages of materials production, part generation, use, and end-of-life are discussed. General issues include the definition of goal and scope, fore- and background systems, and data acquisition. Specific challenges for composite LCA comprise the consideration of non-value adding steps, materials from renewable resources, emerging process technologies and value chains, use scenarios and considerations at the end-of-life of composites. Based on the presented methodology, engineers associated with the composite life cycle are enabled to define the general conditions and requirements of composite LCA studies and can critically examine existing studies.
