Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Aluminium and Steel Bumper Carriers

Two material alternatives - steel and aluminium - for the design of the bumper carrier of the new Opel Corsa were studied in a comparative life cycle assessment. First and second life cycle scenarios were analysed.

The presentation of the results focuses on air emissions as CO₂, CO, Nox and SO₂ for the LCI and on the impact categories global warming potential, eutrophication potential and acidification potential for the LCIA.

The achieved weight reduction by the use of light weight material and the replacement of primary metal by secondary metal resulting from recycling of ELV scraps were identified as the two parameters which have the biggest impact on the LCA results. They have been studied in two sensitivity analyses.