Multiple Responses Injection Moulding Parameter Optimisation Via Taguchi Method for Polypropylene-Nanoclay-Gigantochloa

Abstract

Recently, the reinforcement of natural fibres into the polymer has been the main topic due to ecological which can sustain the life of our earth. Natural plant fibre composite has advantages in production in manufacturing product due to biodegradability and environmental protection. The injection moulding process is a major interest within the field of manufacturing technology because of the issue of archive the good quality of the product while minimizing the defect of the product that has been produced. Therefore, this research purpose describes the effects of gigantochloa scortechinii (natural fibre) mix with the polypropylene-nanoclay by using multiple objective optimisations for instance Taguchi Orthogonal Array method for injection moulding processing condition towards multiple responses such as melt flow index, flexural strength, warpage, and shrinkage. The compounding material used in this research is polypropylene, nanoclay, the compatibilizer which is polypropylene graft maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA), and gigantochloa scortechinii which known as bamboo fibre. For comparison purpose, the contents of natural fibre selected are 0wt.%, 3wt.% and 6wt.% towards the processing condition which are packing pressure, melt temperature, screw speed and filling time. Based on the signal to noise ratio analysis results, the highest value of S/NQP is at 6wt.% which is 160.6451 dBi followed by 3wt.% (158.1919 dBi) and 0wt.% (134.8150 dBi). Furthermore, the most influential parameter changed with the existence of Gigantochloa Scortechinii from melt temperature into packing pressure. In conclusion, the optimum values for multiple responses have been affected by the present of Gigantochloa Scortechinii.