Screening and Ranking of Critical Process Parameters Influencing the Mechanical Properties of Plantain-Bamboo Reinforced High-Density Polyethylene Composites

Abstract

Composites made of natural fibers reinforced polymer are constantly under consideration as the sustainable alternatives to synthetic reinforcements, but the fact that these materials are incredibly vulnerable to the processing conditions makes the problem of achieving a consistent mechanical performance one of the primary issues. Changes in fiber content, blending ratios and molding parameters tend to cause uncertainty in the strength and elasticity, making optimization challenging. This paper solves this problem by filtering and prioritizing the significant process parameters that affect the mechanical property of the plantain-bamboo reinforced high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composite. The experiment involved chemically modified plantain and bamboo fibers, which were processed by using NaOH, acetic acid, bleaching agents, and compatibilizers, and HDPE as a matrix. Fibers were washed, milled to (75 ?m), and mixed with HDPE in given volume ratios. The five most important process variables were considered, including the volume fraction of fibers, the ratio of bamboo fibers to other fiber types, the temperature at which it is molded, the clamping pressure, and the cure time. The compression molding was done under controlled conditions to generate composite samples. The response to each variable was analyzed in terms of influence on the yield stress, yield strain, and elasticity with the best results of fiber content and curing time. Five important variables were filtered; fiber volume fraction (VF), bamboo fiber ratio (BFR), molding temperature (T), clamping force (F), and curing time (t). The yield stress and strain decreased and became low at low fiber content, decreasing between (88 MPa) and (2.4) at (10 percent) VF and (26 MPa) and (0.5) at (50 percent). Pure plantain fiber was stronger, but the small bamboo fractions (03) enhanced elasticity. Increasing temperatures and forces at clamped end beyond (2400 N) minimized stress and strain. The best holding time was around (1823) minutes. In sum, reinforcement was best enhanced by low VF and sufficient curing period. The research provides a definite order of process importance and provides the basis on which the process could be optimized further and composite design could be enhanced.