Modeling and Multiresponse Optimization of the Mechanical Properties of Roselle Fiber-Reinforced Vinyl Ester Composite

Abstract

In this study, the roselle fiber-reinforced vinyl ester composites were prepared based on Taguchi’s L₂₇ experimental design using hand lay-up technique. A gray-based Taguchi technique was used to optimize the process parameters with mechanical properties (multiple performance characteristics). The results also show that the fiber content is the most significant process parameter which greatly affects the mechanical properties. It was proved that the multiple performance characteristics of the plant-based natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites can be effectively improved by this method. The proposed response surface mathematical models to predict mechanical properties of composite were found statistically valid.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• Gray polymer composites
• Gray-based Taguchi method
• Mathematical models
• Multi-response optimization
• Roselle
• Vinyl ester