RFID Data Storage and Their Key Role in Exploitation of Metallic Second Life Materials

Steel is one of the most important technical resources in the world and already consists of a large proportion of recycled scrap metal. The automotive recycling industry also contributes to this material recycling or the circular economy and has so far run as a high energy process chain starting with dismantling and shredding and ending with the sorting of heavy and light fractions. Different physical principles like magnetic, mechanical, aerodynamic or optical separation are used. The high energy and logistics costs of material recycling offer potential for optimization in terms of the CO
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balance. The manufacturing chain of metallic vehicle components produces such high-quality products that questions inevitably arise about alternative component utilization such as reuse, refurbish and remanufacturing. Based on this key question, the following article is about novel technologies for exploiting steel from end-of-life vehicles. In detail, the fabrication of brake covers from roofs of end-of-life vehicles and the brazing and desoldering of structural joints in the vehicle body were explored. In addition to the technical requirements and feasibility of the innovative manufacturing technologies, the need for information and data from product manufacturing for product utilization was also investigated. The use of special RFID data storage devices that can provide utilization processes with important parameters and properties of the original product was examined. The use of RFID data storage has been identified as a necessity for future “second-life-material” processes, especially because of its ability to increase efficiency and economy of processes.