Research on Carbon Footprint of AM50A Recycled Magnesium Alloy Based on Life Cycle Assessment

Against the backdrop of continuously expanding global magnesium alloy applications and surging scrap generation, achieving efficient recycling and low-carbon regeneration of magnesium alloys has emerged as a key pathway for advancing green transformation in manufacturing. The AM50A recycled magnesium alloy was selected as the research subject, employing the attributional life cycle assessment (ALCA) methodology to systematically calculate its “cradle”-to-“gate” carbon footprint across three stages: raw material acquisition, transportation, and production. The results indicate that the carbon footprint of AM50A recycled magnesium alloy is 4.9399 kg CO2e/kg, with the production stage accounting for a significant 99.34% of emissions, identified as the primary source. The combined contribution from raw material acquisition and transportation stages is only 0.66%. Compared to magnesium alloys produced by the Pidgeon process, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions can be reduced by approximately 67.56% through the recycling process, highlighting its significant advantages in promoting low-carbon manufacturing and circular economic development for magnesium alloys. This study provides data support for the environmental performance assessment of recycled magnesium alloys and offers a scientific basis for optimizing energy conservation and emission reduction pathways in related industries.