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Life Cycle Assessment of Fused Filament Fabrication Using Recycled Plastic and Carbon Fiber Composites
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A life cycle assessment of 3D printing filaments made from recycled plastic and carbon fiber composites found a net global warming potential of -12.55 kg CO₂-eq versus +2.44 kg CO₂-eq for conventional plastic parts, demonstrating significant environmental benefits. Incorporating plastic waste into durable composite materials reduces the pool of degradable plastics that could fragment into microplastics in the environment.
This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the application of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for advanced manufacturing and recycling processes, with a focus on achieving sustainability goals. The environmental and economic impacts of additive manufacturing (AM) and innovative recycling strategies for materials like carbon fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRPs) and 3D printing polymers are analyzed. Experimental efforts detail the preparation of recycled plastic-carbon fiber composite filaments suitable for Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). The composite exhibits enhanced mechanical, thermal, and flame-resistant properties through optimal blending of plastic waste and carbon fibers. Sustainability assessments using Open LCA 2.2.0 and SolidWorks 2022 demonstrate significant environmental benefits aligned with circular economy principles. The analysis highlights that the weight reduction results in lifetime fuel savings combined with end-of-life credits of -1.32 kg CO2-eq for composite core versus +0.10 kg CO2-eq for plastic parts. The recycled composite achieves a net global warming potential of -12.55 kg CO2-eq, compared to +2.44 kg CO2-eq for plastic components. The study emphasizes challenges such as recyclability, material degradation, and regional applicability of global LCA models, while proposing pathways for future advancements.
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