Towards the ecodesign strategy for automotive components from carbon nanotube-based composites

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are intended to be incorporated into future automotive components. However, these materials are likely to have adverse impacts on the environment and human health throughout their entire life-cycle. In order to assess the probability of risks and respond positively to REACH regulation and ecodesign requirements, a new and balanced approach that includes environmental, health and quality aspects in all design stages of a new development is carried out in this research paper; this would make the future innovative CNT materials and derived components more competitive in the worldwide automotive market by means of clear regulations, specific safety standards and legal predictability. To achieve such a goal, an ecodesign key performance indicator (KPI) named 'eco-factor' was developed on the basis of probability theory rules, providing an effective tool for measuring the common area generated by quality-health-environment (Q-H-E) interrelated aspects. Integrating this eco-factor into the composite product life-cycle analysis will offer automotive designers green rules of assessment in relation to health risks and environmental impacts. This will promote carbon nanotubes to be the ideal candidate for eventual application in future high-performance automotive industry.