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Environmental impact assessment of aircraft elevator made with new lightning protection material

Authors :
Dong, Shao-ce
Li, Cheng-gao
Xian, Gui-jun
Zhao, Zhong-jie
Zhang, Xu-feng
Yun, Qing-wen
Source :
Journal of Zhejiang University - Science A; September 2022, Vol. 23 Issue: 9 p669-682, 14p
Publication Year :
2022

Abstract

The non-metallic lightning strike protection film covering carbon fiber reinforced polymers (NM-LSP covering CFRP) can reduce the weight and thus the fuel consumption of aircraft by replacing the traditional lightning strike protection (LSP) materials. In the present study in order to study the environmental influence of utilizing NM-LSP covering CFRP in an aircraft elevator a new elevator was designed and manufactured replacing the aluminium net and glass fiber reinforced polymers (GFRP) with NM-LSP covering CFRP with the same mechanical and LSP abilities. A comparative life cycle assessment was conducted between the two kinds of aircraft elevators including material extraction transportation elevator manufacturing phase service phase and end-of-life procedures. Additionally, the environmental impacts of producing two LSP materials were compared by considering the environmental effects of different buy-to-fly ratios and recycling strategies on the production of aluminium net. The analysis indicates that the new elevator achieved reduction for all the environmental impact categories used, such as human toxicity potential and marine aquatic ecotoxicity potential (3.83% and 3.20% reduction). Furthermore, it is found that the service phase makes the greatest contribution to the environmental impact of the elevators under investigation. When recycling is excluded, NM-LSP covering CFRP is more environmentally friendly than the traditional material. At the same time CFRP prepreg and electricity from the production of NM-LSP covering CFRP contribute to a higher environmental impact compared to the NM-LSP film. From the sensitivity analysis it is believed that NM-LSP covering CFRP can reduce environmental impact compared with traditional LSP materials.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1673565X and 18621775
Volume :
23
Issue :
9
Database :
Supplemental Index
Journal :
Journal of Zhejiang University - Science A
Publication Type :
Periodical
Accession number :
ejs60915207
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.A2200105