Title: Industrial applications of natural fibres advanced composites: environmental effects and comparative Life Cycle Analysis

Authors: Claudio Scarponi, Carlo Andreotti

Addresses: Dipartimento di Ingegneria Aerospaziale e Astronautica, 'Sapienza' Universita di Roma, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Roma, Italy. ' Dipartimento di Ingegneria Aerospaziale e Astronautica, 'Sapienza' Universita di Roma, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Roma, Italy

Abstract: Natural fibres composite materials can have an important role for the planet sustainability. The use of such materials involves the following considerations: complete biodegradability; no toxic agents; no fabrication energy consumption (very low emissions). The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the Life Cost Analysis (LCA) of natural fibres composites for industrial applications, for making a comparison with those relative to steel, aluminium and glass fibres production. The comparison shows all the important advantages that we can obtain by the (partial) substitution of such materials with the new natural fibres composites, depending on the applications.

Keywords: natural fibres; environmental impact; LCA; life cycle analysis; recycling; advanced composites; fibre reinforced composites; steel; aluminium; glass fibre.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2009.027835

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2009 Vol.36 No.1/2/3/4, pp.241 - 260

Published online: 12 Aug 2009 *

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