Predicting the flexural performance of woven flax reinforced epoxy composites using design of experiments

Abstract In this study, we seek to understand the flexural behavior of a natural fiber reinforced composite in more depth by integrating a powerful statistical analysis into the experimental design method. Woven fabric reinforced biocomposites were analyzed through the Design of Experiments (DoE) methodology. We attempt in that manner to understand the effect of noise factors (uncontrollable variables) and reduce process variations within the fabrication process. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) is carried out on the acquired experimental data to find the significant effect of input parameters along with their interactions. Each of the process control factors studied at two levels of high and low values. We estimated the main linear effects of the factors which are confounded with two-factor and three-factor interactions (two-way and three-way). Maximum flexural strength and stiffness of 44.83 MPa and 4.70 GPa were attained. Significant correlations found between suction point and mold filling time for the vacuum bagging process which significantly affected all flexural properties when on low and high levels respectively.