Optimization of Mechanical Properties of UV-cut Polyester Fiber Using a Hybrid Taguchi and Fuzzy Approach

This goal of this study was to find the optimal processing parameters for PET/TiO2 UV-cut fiber in order to work out its maximal strength. UV-cut means PET/TiO2 fiber attenuates the transmission of UV-radiation. The hybrid Taguchi and fuzzy approach was applied to resolve the problem as regards optimization of multiple quality characteristics, and further discover the optimal conditions for PET/TiO2 UV-cut fiber. First, the Taguchi approach was employed to plan the melt-spinning process parameters and reduce the number of experiments to 27, thus decreasing experimental cost and time. The fuzzy approach was adopted to optimize multiple quality characteristics. The analysis of variance and response surface methodology found the factors significantly affecting the quality characteristics of PET/TiO2 UV-cut fiber were die temperature and winding speed. According to the experimental results, the PET/TiO2 UV-cut fiber can absorb UVA and UVB, and thus has been widely used in sportswear, high-quality parasols, work clothes, hats, tents, and curtains to reduce the risk of skin cancer.