Multi-response Optimization of the Chemical Treatment Process Parameters Influencing the Tensile, Flexural, Compression, and Shear Properties of the Injection Moulded Green Composites

In this work, Taguchi’s grey relational analysis (GRA) was applied to optimize the different parameters of the chemical treatment process influencing the mechanical properties of the developed green composites. Green composites namely bamboo fibre-reinforced polylactic acid composites (BF/PLA) and pineapple leaf fibre-reinforced polylactic acid composites (PLF/PLA) were fabricated by using the injection moulding process. The input parameters considered were chemical treatments (NaOH: sodium hydroxide, KOH: potassium hydroxide, and Na2CO3: sodium carbonate), chemical concentration [1, 2, and 3% (w/v)], and treatment period (2, 4, and 6 h). The mechanical behaviour of the developed green composites was evaluated by analyzing the different properties such as (a) TS: Tensile Strength, (b) TM: Tensile Modulus, (c) PET: Percentage Elongation Under Tensile Loading, (d) FS: Flexural Strength, (e) FM: Flexural Modulus, (f) PEF: Percentage Elongation Under Flexural Loading, (g) CS: Compressive Strength, and (h) SS: Shear Strength. The morphology of the tested specimens was also analyzed under different loading conditions with the help of a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The optimal levels achieved from GRA and mean plots were same for both the composites. The better mechanical properties of BF/PLA and PLF/PLA were obtained at optimal levels of A1-B2-C2 (NaOH, 2%, and 4 h) and A3-B1-C3 (Na2CO3, 1%, and 6 h), respectively.