Empirical Modelling of Developed Polyvinyl Chloride –Grass Composite

Authors

Inadequate empirical models to predict the mechanical properties of

composites pose great challenges in polymeric industries. This study was

carried out to develop empirical models for predicting the mechanical

properties of injection moulded Polyvinyl Chloride-Grass composite. The

experimental results obtained from the mechanical properties of the

developed Polyvinyl Chloride-Grass composite was used to develop the

empirical models for tensile strength, proof stress, percentage elongation

and flexural strength respectively. The purpose of this study is to produce

new fangled empirical models for predicting the mechanical properties of

composite. Furthermore, the experimental values and the developed

models adequacy were determined using coefficient of determination (R2)

and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). The coefficient of

determination obtained for tensile strength, proof stress, percentage

elongation and flexural strength were 0.9828 (98.28%), 0.9385

(93.85%), 0.9787 (97.87%) and 0.9847 (98.47%) respectively. This

indicates that a substantial good fit was achieved by the models

developed. The mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of the developed

models for tensile strength, proof stress, percentage elongation and

flexural strength were also 4.21%, 5.10%, 6.53%, and 0.20%

respectively which was below 10% recommended. The values obtained

from the validation of these models were therefore found to be

satisfactory, and shows good predictability of the model and its

adequacy.