Optimization of Characteristics Polymer Composite Reinforced Kenaf and Jute Fiber Using Taguchi-Response Surface Methodology Approach

ABSTRACT

The use of composite materials with natural fiber reinforcement (CMNFR) has experienced rapid development in the automotive industry to apply synthetic materials that are expensive and not environmentally friendly. Biocomposite is a composite consisting of a polymer matrix and natural fiber reinforcement. Natural fiber materials are used as a substitute for conventional non-renewable reinforcing materials. This study uses the vacuum-assisted resin infusion (VARI) process to fabricate composites using woven kenaf and jute from natural fiber. The Taguchi experimental design method with L₂₇³ as an orthogonal array matrix was used in this research to obtain the optimum CMNFR fabrication parameters. Response Surface Methodology is used to obtain the optimal response value based on microstructural analysis. The factors used were NaOH treatment (4, 6, 8 wt%), water absorption test (6, 12, 24 hours), and fiber type (KF, JF, KF-JF). The study’s results found a combination of optimization of CMNFR manufacturing parameters using RSM, namely, A₁B₁C₂ with a mean material strength of 0.241 J/mm² (impact strength) and a combination of A₁B₃C₁ parameters with a mean material strength of 94.8650 MPa (flexural strength). It was also found that the presence of contaminants and voids harmed the mechanical properties.

摘要

天然纤维增强复合材料（CMNFR）的使用在汽车行业经历了快速发展，以应用昂贵且不环保的合成材料. 生物复合材料是一种由聚合物基质和天然纤维增强物组成的复合材料. 天然纤维材料被用作传统的不可再生增强材料的替代品. 本研究采用真空辅助树脂注入（VARI）工艺，用天然纤维编织红麻和黄麻制备复合材料. 本研究采用田口实验设计方法，以L2733为正交阵列矩阵，获得了最佳的CMNFR制备参数. 响应面方法用于在微观结构分析的基础上获得最佳响应值. 使用的因素是NaOH处理（4、6、8 wt%）和吸水试验（6、12、24小时）、纤维类型（KF、JF、KF-JF）. 该研究的结果发现了使用RSM的优化CMNFR制造参数的组合，即材料强度平均值为0.241 J/mm2（冲击强度）的A1B1C2和材料强度平均为94.8650 MPa（弯曲强度）的AlB3C1参数的组合. 还发现，污染物和空隙的存在损害了机械财产.

KEYWORDS:

• Composite material
• automotive industry
• natural fiber material
• Taguchi method
• responsesurface-methodology

关键词:

• 复合材料
• 汽车工业
• 天然纤维材料
• 田口方法
• 响应面方法

Highlights

• The use of composite materials with natural fiber reinforcement (CMNFR) has experienced rapid development in the automotive industry

• This study uses the vacuum-assisted resin infusion (VARI) process to fabricate composites using woven kenaf and jute fiber

• Two optimization technique methods are used to obtain the optimal composite material composition

Nomenclature

CMNFR	=	Composite materials with natural fiber reinforcement
RSM	=	Response surface methodology
KF	=	Kenaf fiber
JF	=	Jute fiber
NaOH	=	Natrium Hydroxide

Acknowledgements

This paper was supported by PUTP ATMI Surakarta Polytechnic and the laboratory for basic machine phenomena at the University of Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, which we really appreciate.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Author contribution statement

PW. Anggoro: Conceived and designed the experiments, analyzed and interpreted the data, conceptualized and wrote the paper.

B Bawono : Performed the experiments formal analysis and sourced the corresponding materials.

Haniel: Conceived and designed the experiments and wrote the paper

Additional information

Funding

This work is also part of research funded by the Directorate General of Higher Education, Research, and Technology in the Funding Program for Research and Community Service for Fiscal Year 2022, grant Number: 1989.4/LL5-INT/PG.02.00/2022,165/LPPM-Pen/Eks