A computer-aided approach to material selection and environmental auditing

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to provide an environmental-oriented material selection methodology with two distinct features: it uses a computer-aided material selector coupled with environmental auditing; and it provides a quantitative analysis of environmental impact of selected material. Design/methodology/approach - A two-phase computer-aided procedure that considers material properties, manufacturing constraints, and design and economic requirements is introduced with the objective of finding the material with least negative environmental impact. The procedure is illustrated for an industrial component. Findings - The implementation of the proposed procedure resulted in screening of three feasible materials from a database of 2,900 materials, among which cast aluminum exhibits savings in energy consumption and CO2 emission. This result shows the effectiveness of using a systematic computer-aided method for a speedy selection of material and generating quantitative data to measure the environmental performances and assess the product life cycle. Research limitations/implications - Although the use of digital databases and material selectors can increase the searching speed and efficiency, the user's knowledge is still needed to achieve the maximum benefits. Originality/value - Consideration of eco-sustainability factors in product development may require handling an overwhelming amount of data and performing a good many calculations. The literature review also indicates the difficulty of incorporating quantitative data into environmental and life cycle assessments of a product. As a first step to overcome such challenges, the paper presents a practicalcomputer-aided procedure that can assist product mangers or designers in quickly and efficiently incorporating environmental and sustainability considerations into their business decision making.