Application of Grey Taguchi based Response Surface Methodology (GT-RSM) in Injection Moulding of Polypropylene/E-glass Composite

Abstract

Strong non-linearity combined with the complicated rheological behaviour of polymers makes the quality characteristics of products unpredictable in plastic injection moulding. The purpose of this work is to study the mechanical properties of injection moulded polypropylene/E-glass composites. The process parameters like the melt temperature, injection pressure, packing pressure and cooling time were found to influence the quality characteristics of the produced parts. These four parameters were varied at three levels and a L18 orthogonal array was used for designing and conducting the experiments. Tensile and impact strength (Charpy-notched) were observed as the responses and a new integrated technique of grey Taguchi based response surface methodology (GT-RSM) was disclosed to predict the optimal operating condition. A confirmation test was conducted to demonstrate the accuracy of GT-RSM approach. Injection and packing pressure were found to have statistical significance in influencing the strength of injection moulded polypropylene/E-glass composites.