A Foresight Study on the Development of Fiber-Reinforced LDPE Composites for Greenhouse Covering Applications

Although new materials, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and acrylic, have been introduced for greenhouse covering applications, their use still poses challenges in the agricultural sector due to high cost, heaviness, and low biodegradability. This study provides a forward-looking perspective for improving low-density polyethylene (LDPE) by developing it into a fiber-reinforced composite matrix. It also investigates the ability of this composite material to withstand various mechanical and environmental stresses, comparing its performance with the matrix material alone and the fibers alone. The study further integrates statistical and mathematical analyses of material property inputs to achieve optimal mechanical resistance. Additionally, it addresses the statistical and mathematical optimization of key composite material parameters, including thickness, test temperature, and tensile speed, aiming to build a predictive model for enhancing the mechanical properties of the materials used.

This research explores the potential of Taguchi models following the L9 design and employs analysis of variance (ANOVA) to evaluate the mechanical resistance of the studied materials. The study evaluates mechanical tensile strength based on three primary inputs: matrix material (LDPE), fiber material with a copper core, and the composite (LDPE + fibers), which combines matrix flexibility with fiber strength. Three levels were defined for each factor: thickness (100–150–200 µm), test temperature (0–23–40 °C), and tensile speed (10–50–100 mm/min), enabling precise assessment of each factor’s individual effect.

Taguchi ANOVA analysis revealed the material type’s influence on tensile strength as follows: Composite (LDPE + fibers) 51.11%, fibers (Cu-core) 28.34%, and matrix (LDPE) 20.55%, with the composite achieving a maximum tensile strength of 31.97 MPa. The effects of other factors varied: thickness (18.35–21.60%), test temperature (12.83–14.29%), and tensile speed (16.08–17.41%). For optimal mechanical performance, the composite (LDPE + fibers) is recommended, as it provides the highest tensile strength and superior resistance to puncture and tear compared to the matrix or fibers alone.