The impact energy analysis by genetic algorithm and response surface methods to study the plastic composite, compatibilizer, and recycled poly effects

This study attempts to develop a high-performance wood plastic composite (WPC) in terms of impact strength, tensile strength, and tensile modulus. For this purpose, a new methodology is offered to find the optimum parameters of WPC including the content of wood flour, compatibilizer (MAPE), and recycled polyethylene terephthalate (RP) for optimizing the impact strength. The WPC samples with different contents of wood flour (30–40 mass%), MAPE (4–12 phr), and RP (0–35 phr) were prepared by melting technique in corotating twin screw extruder. To determine the tensile strength, tensile modulus, and impact strength, the tensile and impact tests were conducted. The significance of each input factor on the outputs was estimated by analysis of variance. The maximization of impact strength considering the tensile strength and modulus as constrains was done by genetic algorithm coupled with the response surface method. The optimum content of wood flour, MAPE, and RP were obtained as 30 mass%, 10 phr, and 25 phr, respectively.