MODELLING AND OPTIMIZATION OF PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS OF COCONUT FIBRE PARTICLES REINFORCED HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE

This paper investigated the performance of coconut fibre particles as a filler material in high-density polyethylene matrix employing Taguchi robust design (TRD) and response surface method (RSM). Three levels of filler material particles and three levels of volume fraction of filler material were used in formulating the composite samples. The composite samples were prepared by injection moulding and kept at room temperature for 48 hours prior to testing in order to promote relaxation of stresses. The test specimens were prepared and tested in accordance with ASTM standards D638, D790, D256, and D785 for tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength and Rockwell hardness respectively. L9 Taguchi orthogonal array for control factors matrix and signal-to-noise ratio (SN) greater the better was used as a control function. The SN is used to set optimum control factors levels for various responses. RSM established the response surface models and the optimum responses for tensile, flexural, impact and hardness as 30 MPa (at Vfr =16, Ps = 0.039), 23 MPa (at Vfr = 44, Ps = 0.039), 59 J/m (at Vfr =16, Ps = 0.039) and 61HR (at Vfr =16, Ps = 0.039) respectively. Coefficient of determination, R2 values of 99.97%, 99.98%, 99.42% and 99.95% are obtained for tensile, flexural, impact and hardness response models. It can be concluded from the results obtained that the Coconut Fibre Particles Reinforced High Density Polyethylene (CNFRHDPE) showed improved performance for applications of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). Also particle size has the highest influence in increasing the tensile, impact and hardness responses of CNFRHDPE, while volume fraction of fibre has the highest influence in increasing the flexural responses of CNFRHDPE.