Environmental Assessment on Fabrication of Bio-composite Filament Fused Deposition Modeling Through Life Cycle Analysis

Abstract

The environmental effect of a manufacturing or service method is determined by the resource and energy inputs and outputs at each point of the product’s life cycle. In Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), generally, the material used for fabrication is plastic, and the raising of interest from different backgrounds of users could increase the issue of plastic pollution. Therefore, many scholars have proposed an initiative to employ bio-composite in FDM. In this study, an environmental assessment of global warming potential and fine particulate matter emission from the fabrication of bio-composite filament FDM was performed through its life cycle analysis using GaBi Software. Initially, data on resources and energy inputs and outputs were gathered. The functional unit in this study was the 1.0 kg wood/PLA composite filament extruded using a twin-screw extruder. All wastes were collected and recycled. The fabricated composite filaments were transported by container ship with a capacity of 5000 – 200 000 dwt gross weight for 100 km within Malaysia. Based on the results from the GaBi dashboard, the FDM process of bio-composite filament has contributed as much as 138.7 kg CO2 eq on the global warming potential and 1.71e-4 kg N eq. on fine particulate matter by the electricity power generation in extrusion and printing processes. The main factor for this issue is the consumption of coal in electric power generation, which is considered a non-renewable resource. Therefore, it is recommended that natural fibers such as wood fiber be employed in the filament of FDM to reduce the environmental impact. As shown in the study, the materials contribute less to the impact. Further study is suggested to compare the FDM technology with conventional technology using similar materials.