Parameter optimisation of a fibre reinforced polymer composite by RSM design matrix

Polymer composites fabricated from natural fibres gained popularity since they possess numerous advantages in automotives. But natural fibres suffer from lower strength which can be overcome through hybridisation with stronger synthetic fibres like carbon or glass. This work explores the potential reinforcement of fibres from palm leaf stalks for fabricating polymer composites. The fibres were pre-treated with glass fibres to form as fibre mats and hybridised with glass fibres prior to reinforcement. These mats were reinforced in the polyester resin matrix as different layers to form a hybrid composite. Experiments were done by varying the length of fibre, fibre volume and with different treatments using response surface methodology. Tensile strength was measured as response. The tensile strength was spotted maximum in 8% potassium permanganate (KMnO4) treated palm fibres with optimum fibre length 40 mm and volume fraction of 20%. The surface study on these composites through scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination was satisfactory. Hence this specimen combination was best suited and recommended to manufacture components like car bonnets, bumpers, etc.