Sustainability Characterization for Additive Manufacturing

• Published in: Journal of research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Vol. 119; no. 1; pp. 419 - 428
• Main Authors: Mani, Mahesh, Lyons, Kevin W., Gupta, S. K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States National Institute of Standards and Technology 2014; [Gaithersburg, MD] : U.S. Dept. of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology
• Subjects: 3D printing; Sustainable development; standardization; additive manufacturing; performance metrics; characterization; sustainability
• ISSN: 2165-7254; 1044-677X; 2165-7254
• DOI: 10.6028/jres.119.016

Additive manufacturing (AM) has the potential to create geometrically complex parts that require a high degree of customization, using less material and producing less waste. Recent studies have shown that AM can be an economically viable option for use by the industry, yet there are some inherent challenges associated with AM for wider acceptance. The lack of standards in AM impedes its use for parts production since industries primarily depend on established standards in processes and material selection to ensure the consistency and quality. Inability to compare AM performance against traditional manufacturing methods can be a barrier for implementing AM processes. AM process sustainability has become a driver due to growing environmental concerns for manufacturing. This has reinforced the importance to understand and characterize AM processes for sustainability. Process characterization for sustainability will help close the gaps for comparing AM performance to traditional manufacturing methods. Based on a literature review, this paper first examines the potential environmental impacts of AM. A methodology for sustainability characterization of AM is then proposed to serve as a resource for the community to benchmark AM processes for sustainability. Next, research perspectives are discussed along with relevant standardization efforts.