Experimental Investigation on the Elastic Modulus of Coir Fiber Biocomposites Reinforced with Nanopowder

Nowadays, using new materials with acceptable properties and also reducing costs and harmful environmental effects has turned into an essential issue. So far, biocomposites have mostly been used for nonstructural applications. In this study, nanopowders were added to biocomposite to achieve better properties. In this regard, 4 different parameters including fiber loading, type of nanopowder and its weight percentage and also weight percentage of NaOH in alkali treatment, each factor in 2 levels, were considered in Taguchi design of experiment and 8 specimens were manufactured and tested based on ASTM D3039 standard test method to determine tensile properties. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Taguchi method were also conducted to determine the significance of each parameter on test results. Based on results, weight of fiber, kind of nanopowder, weight of nanopowder and weight percent of NaOH in alkali treatment are ranked 1st to 4th respectively and there is a complete agreement between the results obtained from S/N ratio analysis and ANOVA results corresponding to order of parameter significance.