Research on Mechanical Innovative Design and Low-Carbon Material Mechanical Adaptation Under the Carbon Neutrality Perspective

As industries worldwide pursue carbon neutrality, design and material choices in mechanical engineering are undergoing significant changes. This study investigates how innovative design methods can enhance the mechanical performance of low-carbon materials and proposes a systematic framework that couples material selection with structural design to achieve sustainable mechanical systems. Four categories of low-carbon materials are examined: carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP), high-strength aluminium alloys, bio-based composite materials, and recycled structural steel. Their respective specific strength, elastic modulus, fatigue endurance, thermal stability, and other key mechanical properties are systematically evaluated and compared. Topology optimization, lightweight structural design, and additive manufacturing are identified as key techniques for achieving meaningful carbon reduction in mechanical components. A life cycle assessment (LCA) system is employed to account for the embodied carbon factor, operating energy consumption, and end-of-life recycling potential of the products under investigation. Quantitative analysis demonstrates that topology-optimized designs utilizing low-carbon materials achieve an average lifecycle carbon reduction of 54.0% compared with conventional mild steel baselines. Among the materials studied, recycled structural steel yields the largest total carbon reduction, while CFRP exhibits the most considerable operational carbon savings. The findings provide practical design guidance for mechanical engineers and manufacturers navigating the transition toward carbon neutrality and further advance the theoretical understanding of material-design coupling under sustainability requirements.