Identical casings for a power tool could be die-cast in aluminium or moulded in acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or polyester glass-fibre reinforced polymers (GFRP). Use the embodied-energy per unit volume bar chart of Figure 3.21 to decide which choice minimizes the embodied energy of the casing, assuming the same volume of material is used for each casing.

Data From Figure 3.21

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Embodied energy (MJ/m) 107 10 105 W-alloys Ti-alloys Ni-alloys Mg-alloys Cu-alloys Al-alloys PEEK Zn-alloys Stainless steels Pb alloys Low alloy steels Carbon steels PTFE Silicone Epoxies PVC Polyester 104 14 Embodied energy / unit volume Tungsten carbides Aluminum nitride Al-SiC composite Zironcia Silicon nitride Boron carbide CFRP Silicon carbide SMC Alumina Silicon PS PP Borosilicate glass GFRP Metal foam Nylons Cast PMMA irons PET ABS PE PLA Soda-lime glass Granite Cement Brick Plaster Concrete 103 Metals Polymers Ceramics Ceramic foam Paper and cardboard Polymer foams Plywood Hardwoods Softwoods Bamboo Hybrids MFA 151