Full Factorial Design for Formulation and Optimisation of Polyvinyl Alcohol with Starch Composite Using Conventional Injection Moulding

The combination of polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) and starch composites leads to the production of biodegradable polymer composites. This polymer compound has good qualities for being used as a biodegradable material, which makes it easier to stop the buildup of synthetic substances made from petroleum. This study is intended to analyse the processability characteristics of PVOH-starch composites using actual injection moulding. The processability study of PVOH-starch found that the compound could be injection moulded. The name tag product (NTP) was used as a product outcome during the injection moulding. The verification of the optimisation was conducted by means of statistical analysis employing full-factorial design methodologies. In short, the statistical results have indicated that optimal processing techniques can contribute to the production of NTP with little volumetric shrinkage (as observed in short-shot scenarios) while maintaining acceptable levels of variability. Finally, the optimum injection moulding process parameters were found at 200°C and a pressure of 90 bar. This is because the NTP was produced at the lowest variation of the NTP’s total weight in this set of parameters.