Sustainability assessment of a non-pneumatic tire produced with fused filament fabrication

Tomás Rodrigues dos Reis

Key information

Authors:

Tomás Rodrigues dos Reis (Tomás Rodrigues dos Reis)

Supervisors:

Manuel de Figueiredo Cravo Relvas Sardinha (Manuel de Figueiredo Cravo Relvas Sardinha); Inês Esteves Ribeiro (Inês Esteves Ribeiro)

Published in

November 26, 2024

Abstract

This thesis examines the environmental impact of non-pneumatic bicycle tires (NPTs) produced with fused filament fabrication (FFF), emphasizing sustainability and performance. Traditional pneumatic tires, while widely used, present challenges such as punctures, wear, and disposal issues due to non-biodegradable materials. NPTs, using recyclable thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) in additive manufacturing, offer a promising alternative that reduces maintenance and environmental burdens. The study conducts a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to analyze NPTs’ environmental impact across various stages—from raw material extraction to end-of-life—using ISO standards and SimaPro software. Key variables include single- vs. bi-material configurations and single-piece vs. multi-piece designs. Findings reveal that NPTs reduce waste, simplify recycling, and eliminate air-related maintenance. The bi-material, multi-piece designs demonstrate advantages in resource efficiency. NPTs’ durability and recyclability position them as sustainable alternatives to traditional tires. Findings demonstrate that sustainable NPTs could transform tire manufacturing by significantly decreasing waste, enhancing recyclability, and supporting environmentally friendly practices. The thesis concludes that, while NPTs show strong potential for reducing environmental impacts in manufacturing, further research will support their optimization for diverse applications.