Parameters optimization of bio composite manufacturing using experimental design

Indonesia is one of the banana producing countries that reaches millions of tons every year. With a huge number of banana production, the waste from banana trees, especially banana midribs, is also enormous. Banana midribs or pseudo-stem is known to have robust tensile strength and can be made miscellaneous products, such as composite materials. Composites are currently used in industry many times, especially in the construction industry as partitioning and ceiling material. The purpose of this study was to discover the optimal parameters in the manufacture of bio composite materials in an effort to utilize the pseudo-stem and environmental sustainability. This study began with conducting experiments, testing the tensile strength of composite materials, and calculating the experimental results. The method applied was the factorial experimental design to figure out the best parameters in the manufacture of composite materials. The results showed that from the 3 factors used, the fiber direction had the substantial contribution, followed by the pressing duration and the adhesive type. Meanwhile, the combination of factors and levels that produced the optimum parameters for tensile strength were by using the adhesive type on level 1, the fiber direction on level 1, and the pressing duration on level 2 which are polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), unidirectional, and 1 hour, respectively.