DEVELOPMENT OF A LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT MODEL FOR A MAGNETO-RHEOLOGICAL BRAKE

This Master's Thesis Project is based on a comparative Life Cycle Assesment of an innovative braking system, designed and patented by the IEHV - Innovative Ehectric and Hybrid Vehicles - research group of the Polytechnic of Turin, compared to a traditional one. The Goal is to ascertain the potential for reducing the environmental impact associated with a braking system, particularly in relation to Non-Exhaust Emissions. The proposed system is characterised by zero emissions during its operational phase, in contrast to the traditional disc brake, which emits particulate matter. This renders the proposed system more advantageous. The proposed analysis is conducted by using the software SimaPro 9.3.0.3 and its database Ecoinvent 3.0 in order to model the system and verify its Enviromental Impact throught 10 Impact Categories which belong to the method of allocation CML – IA Baseline. The comparison is focused on the three main life phases of both systems: Raw Material Extraction, Manufacturing Phase and Use Phase.