In a chlorine-fluxing installation in a large aluminum company, engineers are considering the replacement of existing plastic pipe fittings with more expensive, but longer lived, copper fittings. The following table gives a comparison of the capital investments, lives, salvage values, and so on of the two mutually exclusive alternatives under consideration:
|
Plastic | Copper |
Capital investment |
$5,000 | $10,000 |
Useful (class) life | 5 years |
10 years |
Salvage value for depreciation purposes | $1,000(= S V_{5}) |
$5,000(= SV_{10})
|
Annual expenses |
$300 | $100 |
Market value at end of useful life | $0 |
$0 |
Depreciation amounts are calculated with the SL method. Assume an income tax rate of 40% and a MARR after-taxes of 12% per year. Which pipe fitting would you select and why? Carefully list all assumptions that you make in performing the analysis. (7.9, 7.10)