Abstract
This paper focuses on the application of Taguchi Robust Design to determine the optimum tensile strength of Ukam-Plant Fibre Reinforced CNSL Composite using indigenous or locally sourced vegetable or plant based natural fibres (Ukam-plant fibres) that are Lignocellulose as potential raw material. Tensile tests were conducted on the replicated samples of Ukam-Plant Fibre Reinforced CNSL Composite to obtain the optimum properties. Hounsfield Mosanto Tensometer, a universal testing machine was used to conduct tensile tests to determine the control factor levels quality characteristics considered necessary to optimize the mechanical property being investigated. Methodology of traditional and experimental design approach of Taguchi was used for the larger the better to obtain the highest signal to noise ratio (SN ratio) for the quality characteristic being investigated and also to correlate the control factors (fibre condition i.e. untreated, silane treated and alkaline treated, volume fraction and fibre size). Minitab 16 software was used for statistical analysis to fine-tune conclusions and produce quantitative estimates. The optimum settings were as follows: alkaline treatment, volume fraction of 50%, and 50mm of fibre size which resulted in 18.69MPa optimum tensile strength. The experimental results obtained agreed satisfactorily with the Minitab 16 software predictions. The mechanical property studied revealed that composite depends significantly on the reinforcement combination of control parameters.
Highlights
Tensile strength or ultimate tensile strength is the maximum stress that a material can withstand while being pulled
This paper focuses on the application of Taguchi Robust Design to determine the optimum tensile strength of UkamPlant Fibre Reinforced cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) Composite using indigenous or locally sourced vegetable or plant based natural fibres (Ukam-plant fibres) that are Lignocellulose as potential raw material
The optimum settings were as follows: alkaline treatment, volume fraction of 50%, and 50mm of fibre size which resulted in 18.69MPa optimum tensile strength
Summary
Tensile strength or ultimate tensile strength is the maximum stress that a material can withstand while being pulled. Taguchi’s approach to parameter design is adopted in this paper in evaluating the ultimate tensile strength of UkamPlant Fibre Reinforced CNSL Composite material in other to know the optimum setting of fibre volume fraction and fibre size. Natural fibres have recently become attractive to researchers, engineers and scientists as viable alternatives to glass fibres either alone or combined in composite materials for various application Due to their low cost, fairly good mechanical properties, high specific strength, non-abrasive, eco-friendly and biodegradability characteristics, they are exploited as a replacement for the conventional fibre, such as glass, aramid and carbon. One of the special characteristics of natural fibre reinforced composites is that their properties can be stream lined to make different types of loading conditions and this study is aimed at exploiting this opportunity to determine the optimum tensile strength of Ukam-Plant Fibre Reinforced CNSL Composite employing Taguchi methodology for recommendation as optimum condition for the design of auto-body fabrication using the hand lay-up techniques
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
