Comparative study: High performance polymers of polyphenylene sulfide and polyethylenimine using Taguchi-Topsis optimization approaches

Abstract

The role of high-performance thermoplastic products is increasing in the present days because of its excellent physical and mechanical properties and also capable of withstanding critical loads and temperatures. In this study, an attempt was made to improve the mechanical and physical properties of two polymers PPS (Polyphenylene Sulfide) and PEI (Polyethylenimine) by addition of glass fiber as a reinforcement fiber. The glass fiber (GF) content considered as 40 wt% for both the polymers. Injection molding method was used for fabrication of PPS and PEI samples. After fabrication, mechanical tests such as tensile, impact and dimensional shrinkage (%) of samples were calculated. Taguchi and Topsis analysis techniques were applied for evaluation of major influencing parameters and determining the best experiment to be performed on the machine. After conducting the test, PPS polymer exhibited better mechanical strength values and lower shrinkage (%) compared to PEI. The best input parameters kept on the machine were observed to be gate way type, temperature and pressure. The conditions of gate way type 2, temperature 320°C, and a pressure of 100 bar are obtained as the best input parameters to be fixed on the machine for achieving higher values of mechanical strength and lower dimensional shrinkage for both PPS and PEI polymers. Out of these two polymers, PPS exhibited better mechanical and physical properties combining with GF. This polymer can extend its usage as a high-performance polymer for various industrial applications.