TY - JOUR
T1 - Lightweight automotive components based on nanodiamond-reinforced aluminium alloy
T2 - A technical and environmental evaluation
AU - Ferreira, Victor
AU - Egizabal, Pedro
AU - Popov, Vladimir
AU - García de Cortázar, Maider
AU - Irazustabarrena, Ane
AU - López-Sabirón, Ana M.
AU - Ferreira, German
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 Elsevier B.V.
PY - 2019/2
Y1 - 2019/2
N2 - This study aims to evaluate the use of nanodiamonds (ND) as potential reinforcements to improve the mechanical properties of aluminium for use in high-quality automotive components. Additionally, the use of components manufactured from reinforced aluminium is assessed regarding environmental effects considering the life cycle of the component. To do this, a master alloy of aluminium/20 vol% ND was developed using mechanical alloying, which embedded and uniformly distributed non-agglomerated ND particles inside the aluminium matrix. Then, specimens of reinforced aluminium alloys containing 0.5 wt% ND were produced using a mixing system to manufacture the final automotive components. SEM images revealed even distributions of nanoparticles of <10 nm in size within the aluminium; synchrotron investigation revealed the diamond structures of the nanoparticles. The incorporation of the nanoparticles induced improvements in the yield stress and ultimate tensile strength, and a dramatic improvement of the ductility. Finally, the holistic life cycle analysis was conducted by the accepted Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. The results showed an environmental net balance of CO 2 emissions after the automobile using ND-reinforced aluminium alloy components had reached ~33% of its useful lifetime, indicating a significant reduction in the environmental impact in the value chain of the component, especially considering 50% recyclability, as this provides environmental benefits compared to the life cycles of equivalent components produced from weightier materials like steel.
AB - This study aims to evaluate the use of nanodiamonds (ND) as potential reinforcements to improve the mechanical properties of aluminium for use in high-quality automotive components. Additionally, the use of components manufactured from reinforced aluminium is assessed regarding environmental effects considering the life cycle of the component. To do this, a master alloy of aluminium/20 vol% ND was developed using mechanical alloying, which embedded and uniformly distributed non-agglomerated ND particles inside the aluminium matrix. Then, specimens of reinforced aluminium alloys containing 0.5 wt% ND were produced using a mixing system to manufacture the final automotive components. SEM images revealed even distributions of nanoparticles of <10 nm in size within the aluminium; synchrotron investigation revealed the diamond structures of the nanoparticles. The incorporation of the nanoparticles induced improvements in the yield stress and ultimate tensile strength, and a dramatic improvement of the ductility. Finally, the holistic life cycle analysis was conducted by the accepted Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. The results showed an environmental net balance of CO 2 emissions after the automobile using ND-reinforced aluminium alloy components had reached ~33% of its useful lifetime, indicating a significant reduction in the environmental impact in the value chain of the component, especially considering 50% recyclability, as this provides environmental benefits compared to the life cycles of equivalent components produced from weightier materials like steel.
KW - Aluminium
KW - CO eq
KW - Environmental net balance
KW - Holistic Life Cycle perspective
KW - Nanodiamond
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85059819433&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.diamond.2018.12.015
DO - 10.1016/j.diamond.2018.12.015
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85059819433
SN - 0925-9635
VL - 92
SP - 174
EP - 186
JO - Diamond and Related Materials
JF - Diamond and Related Materials
ER -
