Environmental impact assessment of adhesive joints in basalt fibre-reinforced thermoplastic composites using LCA methodology
Luigi BENVENUTO, Chiara MANDOLFINO, Pietro RUSSO, Matteo BENVENUTO, Marco PIZZORNI, Enrico LERTORA
Abstract. This research evaluates the environmental impact of adhesive joints in basalt fibre-reinforced thermoplastic composites. Using the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) method, the study examines the influence of individual components and surface treatments on the environmental footprint by correlating it with the mechanical properties of the bonded joint by virtue of different surface treatments. The main results indicate that polyamide 11, used as a matrix, has a significant impact on the environment, particularly in the production stages. Surface treatments were compared, including acetone cleaning, mechanical abrasion and plasma treatment, which offered superior mechanical performance but higher environmental costs due to the electrical energy required to operate the process chamber. The study also highlights the ecological benefits and the importance of partial material reuse, which reduces environmental impact.
Keywords
Composites, Adhesive Bonding, Lifecycle Assessment
Published online 9/10/2025, 9 pages
Copyright © 2025 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA
Citation: Luigi BENVENUTO, Chiara MANDOLFINO, Pietro RUSSO, Matteo BENVENUTO, Marco PIZZORNI, Enrico LERTORA, Environmental impact assessment of adhesive joints in basalt fibre-reinforced thermoplastic composites using LCA methodology, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 57, pp 466-474, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644903735-55
The article was published as article 55 of the book Italian Manufacturing Association Conference
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
References
[1] C. Mandolfino, L. Cassettari, M. Pizzorni, L. Benvenuto, and E. Lertora, ‘A comprehensive techno-economic and environmental comparison of plasma-treated adhesive-bonded thermoplastic composites’, Journal of Advanced Joining Processes, vol. 10, p. 100268, Nov. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JAJP.2024.100268
[2] C. Mandolfino, L. Cassettari, E. Lertora, and M. Pizzorni, ‘Adhesive bonding of glass-fibre thermoplastic composite: process optimisation and sustainability analysis using LCA methodology’, International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, vol. 130, no. 11–12, pp. 5709–5726, Feb. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-024-13022-y
[3] F. C. Campbell, Structural Composite Materials. 2010. [Online]. Available: www.asminternational.org
[4] V. Lunetto, M. Galati, L. Settineri, and L. Iuliano, ‘Sustainability in the manufacturing of composite materials: A literature review and directions for future research’, Jan. 06, 2023, Elsevier Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmapro.2022.12.020
[5] S. Hao, L. He, J. Liu, Y. Liu, C. Rudd, and X. Liu, ‘Recovery of carbon fibre from waste prepreg via microwave pyrolysis’, Polymers (Basel), vol. 13, no. 8, Apr. 2021. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13081231
[6] C. Mandolfino, E. Lertora, C. Gambaro, and M. Bruno, ‘Improving adhesion performance of polyethylene surfaces by cold plasma treatment’, Meccanica, vol. 49, no. 10, pp. 2299–2306, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11012-014-9993-y
[7] C. Mandolfino, L. Cassettari, M. Pizzorni, S. Saccaro, and E. Lertora, ‘A design-of-experiments approach to estimate the effect of plasma-treatment parameters on the mechanical resistance of adhesive-bonded joints’, J Manuf Process, vol. 67, pp. 177–194, Jul. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JMAPRO.2021.04.054
[8] C. Mandolfino, ‘Polypropylene surface modification by low pressure plasma to increase adhesive bonding: Effect of process parameters’, Surf Coat Technol, vol. 366, pp. 331–337, May 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SURFCOAT.2019.03.047
[9] G. Finnveden et al., ‘Recent developments in Life Cycle Assessment’, J Environ Manage, vol. 91, no. 1, pp. 1–21, Oct. 2009. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JENVMAN.2009.06.018
[10] H. Alhazmi, F. H. Almansour, and Z. Aldhafeeri, ‘Plastic Waste Management: A Review of Existing Life Cycle Assessment Studies’, Sustainability, vol. 13, no. 10, p. 5340, May 2021. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13105340
[11] European Standard, ‘EN 1465. Adhesives – Determination of tensile lap-shear strength of bonded assemblies’, 2009.
[12] M. Pizzorni, E. Lertora, C. Gambaro, C. Mandolfino, M. Salerno, and M. Prato, ‘Low-pressure plasma treatment of CFRP substrates for epoxy-adhesive bonding: an investigation of the effect of various process gases’, International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, vol. 102, no. 9–12, pp. 3021–3035, Jun. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-019-03350-9
[13] International Standard, ‘ISO 14040+A1. Environmental management: Life cycle assessment: principles and framework’, 2020, BSI Standards Limited.
[14] International Standard, ‘ISO 14044+A2. Environmental management. Life cycle assessment. Requirements and guidelines’, 2021, British Standards Institution.
[15] M. A. J. Huijbregts et al., ‘ReCiPe2016: a harmonised life cycle impact assessment method at midpoint and endpoint level’, International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 138–147, Feb. 2017. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-016-1246-y
[16] D. Hunkeler, ‘Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): A Guide to Best Practice’, Int J Life Cycle Assess, vol. 21, no. 7, pp. 1063–1066, Jul. 2016. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-016-1083-z
