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Updated: Dec 22, 2025
09:13
Experimental Multiscale Methodology for Predicting Material Fouling Resistance
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Critical material content in modern conventional U.S. vehicle electronics
Ruby T Nguyen1, Donna L Baek1, Bryna J Haile2
1Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID 83402, USA.
Waste Management (New York, N.Y.)
|May 7, 2020
Summary
Recycling vehicle electronics for critical materials (CMs) like tin, niobium, and terbium is possible but not economically viable. Component remanufacturing offers a more promising future for reuse.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Environmental Science
- Mechanical Engineering
Background:
- Critical materials (CMs) are essential for modern technologies.
- Vehicle components can be a source for recovering and reusing CMs.
- Ensuring a sustainable supply of CMs is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze electronic components from vehicles for critical material content.
- To assess the economic viability of recycling CMs from automotive electronics.
- To explore alternative reuse strategies for vehicle components.
Main Methods:
- Electronic components from a 2015 GMC Sierra and a 2016 Toyota Camry were selected.
- Components underwent size reduction, followed by aqua regia leaching and dissolution.
- Final solutions were analyzed for metal content to quantify CMs.
Main Results:
- Critical materials were detected in most analyzed electronic components from both vehicles.
- Tin (Sn), niobium (Nb), and terbium (Tb) were the most concentrated CMs.
- Neodymium (Nd) and cobalt (Co) were identified in several magnetic components.
Conclusions:
- While CMs are present in vehicle electronics, their concentration does not support economically viable recycling.
- The economic value of recovered CMs is low relative to the overall component value.
- Component remanufacturing presents a potentially more economical option for material reuse in the future.
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