Experimental analysis of glass fiber reinforced epoxy composite with calcium carbonate (CaCO3 ) as filler for automobile body panel application using multi-objective optimization

Currently, composite materials made from glass fiber and polymer matrix composites are highly applicable in the automotive manufacturing sector. A composite material was developed using the hand layup method, incorporating glass fiber reinforcement, epoxy as the matrix, and calcium carbonate as the filler. The output parameters were tensile strength, compressive strength, impact strength, and water absorption. The Taguchi L9 orthogonal array was used to optimize the input parameters. designed weight percent of calcium carbonate powder is added to the weight percent of epoxy resin and thoroughly mixed by a laboratory stirrer machine. It appeared that the specimens made with 6wt% calcium carbonate resulted in the highest strength value of 130.58MPa. Maximum compressive strength was obtained as sample 10wt% of calcium carbonate, which is 47.54MPa, and the maximum impact strength was obtained at 6wt% of calcium carbonate, 12.96 Kj/m ² . Based on the observations regarding the responses resulting from variations in the input parameters, it is evident that multi-objective optimization should be employed. Based on the result of the grey relation grade, input parameters 10 (%) of filler, and 0µm particle size of calcium carbonate bring a maximum value of GRG of 0.780.