Optimization of Alkali Treatment Process Parameters for Kenaf Fiber: Experiments Design

ABSTRACT

Alkali treatment of natural fibers will improve the mechanical, chemical, and thermal characteristics of natural fiber reinforced epoxy composites. The influence of alkali treatment on the improvement of mechanical strength of natural fiber reinforced epoxy composites depends on the selection of process parameters of the treatment. In this work, the optimization of four key process parameters for alkali treatment of kenaf fiber has been studied using orthogonal array-oriented fractional factorial experimental design. The concentration of sodium hydroxide solution, process temperature, time, and fiber to solution weight ratio were the four chosen parameters and the tensile strength of the composite sample fabricated with treated kenaf fiber and epoxy resin was taken as output response. The hand layup method was used to fabricate the composite materials, and specimens were prepared for the tensile test. All samples were fabricated by ensuring the fiber weight ratio of 40%. Five samples were prepared at each experiment category, and mean values were taken for analysis. The results revealed that 6% NaOH solution, 30°C process temperature, 8 hours process time, and 1:15 fiber to solution weight ratio are identified as optimum process parameters for a tensile strength of 58.16 MPa.

摘要

天然纤维的碱处理将改善天然纤维增强环氧树脂复合材料的力学、化学和热性能. 碱处理对提高天然纤维增强环氧复合材料力学强度的影响取决于处理工艺参数的选择. 本文采用正交试验设计,对红麻纤维碱处理的四个关键工艺参数进行了优化研究. 选择氢氧化钠溶液浓度、处理温度、时间和纤维与溶液重量比为4个参数,以处理后的红麻纤维与环氧树脂制备的复合试样的拉伸强度作为输出响应. 采用手工叠层法制备复合材料,并制备拉伸试样. 在保证纤维质量比为40%的情况下,制备了所有样品. 在每个实验类别中制备五个样本,取平均值进行分析. 结果表明,6%NaOH溶液、30℃的工艺温度、8h的处理时间、1:15的纤维与溶液的重量比为58.16mpa的最佳工艺参数.

KEYWORDS:

• Kenaf fibers
• alkali treatment
• optimization
• design of experiments
• tensile strength
• orthogonal array

关键词:

• 红麻纤维
• 碱处理
• 优化
• 实验设计
• 抗拉强度
• 正交数组