Optimization and Prediction of Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene/Poly(butylene terephthalate) Blend Fibers Using Response Surface Methodology

Achieving optimal improvements in mechanical properties of blend fibers is the ultimate goals of polymers blending. To obtain the best properties، optimization of polymer blend ratio takes a long time with high cost due to variation of polymeric constituents in blend fibers. In this study، an experimental design is introduced using response surface methodology (RSM). The fractions of matrix، dispersing agents and compatibilizers were selected as input parameters and mechanical properties included elongation-at-break، tenacity، initial modulus، specific work of rupture of blend fibers and their uniformities which were selected as output response. The blend fiber samples were produced in melt spinning process using a screw equipped with Maddock fluted mixing zone. The optimized blend ratio، based on the most desired mechanical properties، and prediction models were obtained by response results of RSM method. The best blend ratio was obtained as 64. 8/31. 7/3. 5 relative to matrix، dispersing agents and compatibilizers of the blend fiber samples، respectively. Furthermore، the results showed good agreements between experimental and model predictions with high correlation coefficients.