Analysis and optimization of mechanical properties of biocomposites reinforced with kenaf fibers/graphene in the presence of compatibilizers

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Velayat University, Iranshahr, Iran

2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran

Abstract

In this article, the mechanical properties of biocomposites reinforced with kenaf fibers/nanographene in the field of polypropylene with the addition of PP-G-MA compatibilizer have been investigated. Response surface method (RSM) with Box-Behnken Design (BBD) has been used to investigate and present a mathematical model for the behavior of biocomposite according to the parameters of weight percentage of Kenaf fibers, nanographene, and PP-G-MA. The behavior of the samples was analyzed under tensile, bending, and impact tests, and the results were confirmed using FE-SEM images. The failure surface of the samples showed that the main mechanism in improving the behavior of the introduced biocomposite is the failure of the fibers and their separation along with the stretching of the fibers from the base material. The multi-objective optimization process was performed using two methods: metaheuristic and utility function. Optimization was carried out to increase flexural strength, impact resistance, and tensile strength while simultaneously reducing the weight of the specimens. The weight percentages of fibers, nanoparticles, and compatibilizer were defined as the variables of the problem. The results showed that the values of the biocomposite sample in the optimal state for three mechanical properties including tensile, impact, and bending strength are 28.5 MPa, 92.29 J/m, and 50 MPa respectively. At the end of the optimal mode, it showed that the weight of the biocomposite can be reduced by 32%.

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Amirkabir Journal of Mechanical Engineering
Volume 56, Issue 2
May 2024
Pages 4-4

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