Optimization of Tensile and Flexural Strengths of Banana Fiber Reinforced Composites using Taguchi Method

Abstract

In the present research work, banana fiber non-woven based polymer composites were produced through hand layup technique. Four process parameters have been selected for the design of experiments towards of optimization of mechanical strength such as laying angle, fiber length, fiber volume fraction and alkali concentration for surface treatment. Taguchi design of experiment methods using L18 orthogonal array was followed for experiments. The effects of process parameter on tensile and flexural strength of the composites were analyzed through ANOVA. It was found that as per the flexural strength is concerned all the selected process parameters such as laying angle, fiber length, fiber volume fraction and alkali concentration on the fiber. In the case of tensile strength was concerned laying angle and alkali concentration was significant

Keywords: Banana fiber; Taguchi L18, Mechanical strength; Fiber volume fraction, fiber laying angle