Biofibers in polymer matrixes: an application for auto body fender

The response of plantain fiber reinforced high density polyethylene composites was evaluated to assess the possibility of using it as a new material in design of auto body fender. The composite samples were prepared by injection molding and kept at room temperature for 48 h prior to testing in order to promote relaxation of stresses. Taguchi Robust Design and Finite Element Methods were applied to optimize the tensile strength, flexural strength, hardness strength and impact strength of plantain fiber reinforced high density polyethylene composites (PFRHDPE). These properties were determined at various manufacturing conditions and fiber configuration. Tensile, flexural, hardness and impact tests were conducted on replicated samples using Archimedes principles in each case to determine the volume fraction of fibers. The Taguchi robust design technique was applied for the greater the better to obtain the highest signal-to-noise ratio (SNratio) for quality characteristics (strengths) in the determination of optimum factor control levels. The Finite element method was applied in the evaluation of stress distribution and prediction of material failure zones. The overall results suggest that a natural plantain fiber reinforced composites could be utilized in automotive structural components such as fenders, bumper beams, front end modules and also in interiors of automobiles.