Optimization of process variables for tensile properties of bagasse fiber-reinforced composites using response surface methodology

• Published in: Polymers & polymer composites Vol. 29; no. 8; pp. 1304 - 1312
• Main Authors: Siddique, Sheraz Hussain, Faisal, Saira, Ali, Muhammad, Gong, Rong Hugh
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.10.2021; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Bagasse; Caustic soda; Composite materials; Epoxy resins; Fiber composites; Lignin; Manufacturing; Mechanical properties; Modulus of elasticity; Multiple regression analysis; Optimization; Polynomials; Process variables; Response surface methodology; Sodium hydroxide; Sugarcane; Tensile properties; Tensile strain; Tensile strength; Variables; Variance analysis; Waste materials; Pakistan; tensile properties; response surface methodology; Bagasse fiber; optimization; fiber reinforced composites; natural fiber reinforced composites
• ISSN: 0967-3911; 1478-2391
• DOI: 10.1177/0967391120968432

The present study relates to manufacturing, characterization and optimization of bagasse fiber reinforced composites. For this purpose, response surface methodology was applied to simultaneously optimize the tensile strength, tensile modulus and tensile strain of bagasse fiber reinforced composites. Three levels of process variables, including concentration of sodium hydroxide for bagasse fiber treatment (4, 6, and 8%), content of bagasse fiber (10, 20, and 30 wt%), and length of bagasse fiber (1, 2, and 3 inch) were used to design the experiments according to the Box–Behnken design. Experimental results were analyzed by analysis of variance and fitted to second order polynomial models by using multiple regression analysis. The Derringer’s desirability function revealed that the values of process variables leading to optimized tensile strength, tensile modulus and tensile strain are 4%, 14.2 wt% and 1 inch for concentration of NaOH for bagasse fiber treatment, content of bagasse fiber and length of bagasse fiber, respectively. Validation experiments were carried out and high degree of correlation was found between the actual values and the predicted values of tensile properties of bagasse fiber reinforced composites.