Optimization of mechanical properties of silk fiber-reinforced polypropylene composite using Box-Behnken experimental design

In this study, the compression molding process parameters for the development of silk fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites was optimized using Box-Behnken experimental Design with response surface methodology. The trimmed silk fibers from shuttleless loom silk selvedge waste were used as reinforcement in polypropylene fiber matrix. The process parameters of compression molding such as temperature (165-185 degrees C), time (7-15 min) and pressure (35-45 bar) were optimized with respect to the mechanical properties of the silk fiber-reinforced polypropylene composite. The optimum parameters for better mechanical properties were found to be temperature, 180 degrees C; time, 7 min, and pressure, 35 bar in compression molding. The optimised level of parameters has shown good response to the predicted model.