Green manufacturing process design for infusible acrylic resin composites: A data-guided life cycle management model incorporating material-process-property-energy-emission relationships

This research targets the green manufacturing process design of novel liquid thermoplastic resin-based composites. First, curing cycles at various temperatures were explored via a two-stage determination. Energy consumption was recorded via power monitoring. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from consumed electricity and polymerization were calculated to quantify the eco-impact. Moreover, the effect of curing conditions on mechanical properties was revealed. Results showed that sunbathing in the shadow could be a green manufacturing process with the shortest manufacturing cycle and almost no additional energy consumption. Notably, room-temperature polymerization for 24 h achieved the highest tensile modulus; isothermal curing at 40 °C for 3 h demonstrated superior tensile and flexural strength; and isothermal curing at 60 °C for 1.5 h obtained the greatest flexural modulus. Finally, this study constructed the "Material-Process-Property-Energy-emission" (MPPEE) relationships and provided a green manufacturing process design methodology for trading off between manufacturing efficiency, mechanical performance, and sustainability.