Iron Casting Life Cycle Analysis
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Research Team
Life cycle analysis (LCA) data for ductile iron castings are limited, preventing a comparison with other materials for automotive applications. This project developed an LCA model to characterize the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions for cast ductile iron parts and wrought steel equivalents.
Life cycle inventory production data (plant and process level) was collected in collaboration with iron casting industry partners, and augmented with physics based models and data compiled from previous projects and the literature. A parametric life cycle model evaluated key factors that influence performance to better inform material selection, product design decisions, process set points, and process R&D.
Collaborator(s)
Dan Cooper Mechanical Engineering
Sponsor(s)
American Foundry Sponsor (AFS)
Ductile Iron Society, Inc.
Research Areas
Materials