Multi-Response Optimization of Bamboo Fiber Reinforced Unsaturated Polyester Composites using Hybrid Taguchi – Grey Relational Analysis Method

ABSTRACT

This study involves application of industrial engineering principles in Bamboo fiber composite production, which include finding the best parameter settings for processing bamboo fiber polyester composites using experimental design and optimization techniques. Multi response optimization of properties of bamboo fiber polyester composites using hybrid Taguchi-Grey relational analysis was carried out. The test samples consist of untreated, mercerized, acetylated, and mercerized-acetylated bamboo fiber composites at fiber contents of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 wt %. All composite samples were fabricated using conventional hand lay-up process on randomly oriented long bamboo fibers. Multi response optimization shows that the optimal design parameter is Mercerized-acetylated fibers and 50 wt% fiber content; as that was the factor combination that gave desirable values for all the considered performance characteristics. The application of optimization techniques was used to improve the process of bamboo fiber polyester composite production in order to achieve high performance composites.

KEYWORDS:

• Bamboo fiber
• taguchi-GRA
• unsaturated polyester
• composites
• optimization

Acknowledgments

The authors appreciate the contributions of Engr. Abdul of Nile University and Prof. A.C. Igboanugo of the University of Benin.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Okwuchi Smith Onyekwere

Okwuchi Smith Onyekwere is aLecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Federal University Wukari, Nigeria. He received his M.Eng degree in Industrial and Production Engineering from Federal University of Technology Yola (Modibbo Adama University of Technology). He is currently pursuing a PhD degree in industrial Engineering from University of Benin, Nigeria. His research areas include systems and process optimization, fiber composite production and novel engineering materials development.

Mobolaji H. Oladeinde

Mobolaji H. Oladeinde is a professor in the Department of Production Engineering at the University of Benin, Nigeria.

Raphael O. Edokpia

Rapheal Olumese Edokpia is a professor of industrial engineering in the Department of Production Engineering at the University of Benin, Nigeria. He graduated with a B.Sc (Hons) in metallurgical and materials engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife, Nigeria. He obtained his M.Eng. and PhD degrees in industrial engineering from the University of Benin, Nigeria. His areas of research interest are reliability and maintenance modeling of equipment and production systems, operation research, and materials engineering research as it relates to mission performance and its sustenance in terms of their reliability as well as general industrial engineering areas that captures his interest.