Development and optimization of fluted pumpkin stems fiber using Taguchi’s approach for Natural Fiber Reinforced Plastics Composite (NFRPC)

Authors

  • Christopher Chukwutoo Ihueze Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Anambra State
  • Ebisike Paschal Soroibe Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Anambra State
  • Uchendu Onwurah Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Anambra State

Keywords:

Taguchi’s approach, Fluted Pumpkin stem fiber, Thermal conductivity, Tensile strength Telfairia occidentalis, Analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Abstract

This research article investigated the development and characterization of Fluted Pumpkin stem fiber (FPSF) and the use of Taguchi’s approach for optimization Natural Fiber Reinforced Plastics Composite (NFRPC). Emphasis was on the fiber development process, fiber extraction, surface treatment and fiber characterization. In this work, the tensile test experiment has been conducted using treated and untreated Telfairia occidentalis stem fiber and the results showed that the treated fiber has high tensile strength value of 124.2N/mm2, as compared to untreated fiber with 42.1N/mm2. Furthermore, design of experiment (DOE) technique was planned using Taguchi L9 orthogonal array method to optimize the properties of new composite material.  The analysis of variance (ANOVA) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was performed to determine the optimal parameter levels and its statistical significance on each of the properties (Thermal conductivity, Tensile strength,). The results showed that all the chosen parameters have significant effects on the properties of new material

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Published

2025-10-05

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 3 (2025): UNIZIK Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Section

Articles