Hybrid optimisation electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness:mechanical and physical performance of plaster mortar containing palm oil fuel ash using taguchi grey and taguchi-flower pollination algorithm methods

The rapid development of wireless telecommunications has revolutionarily modernized the global society, whereas it has created serious concerns on harmful effects of the electromagnetic interference (EMI) on human health and performance of electronic devices. The purpose of this research was to use palm oil fuel ash (POFA) as cement filler in plastering mortar to overcome the EMI issue. This research adopted Taguchi method with mix level design (L16 (44 22)) to examined the EMI shielding effectiveness (SE), mechanical properties and physical properties of the mortar. Six factors namely POFA admixture percentage, topcoat powder /binder ratio (TP/B), water/binder ratio (W/B), latex agent content (LA), the particle size of POFA and curing condition are used to control the nine responses. Pre-experiment data is optimized based on Taguchi-grey and Flower Pollination Algorithm (FPA) methods. The feasibility of the optimization was evaluated by repeating the experiments. Initially, the POFA was refined and segregated into 4 different layers. Layer 1 POFA performed highest SE with 25.76 dB at 1 GHz where the SE was decreased in accordance with the sequence of POFA layers. The SEM image of POFA showed the existence of cenosphere particles and it has potential in EMI SE due to the hollow spherical shape. Regression and ANOVA analysis demonstrated the optimal mixture from Taguchi-grey method is able to give additional 6 dB of SE compare to plaster mortar without POFA. Meanwhile, the optimal mixture from Taguchi-FPA able to give additional 5 dB of SE. It’s found that this does not affect its mechanical and physical properties because the confirmation results proved that all responses are within the range that specified in the standards. Finally, this research successfully employed POFA as cement filler for plastering mortar which can mitigate the EMI. The increase in the SE is due to the carbon content and spherical cenosphere particle in the POFA that promote multiple reflections. The implementation of Taguchi-grey and Taguchi-FPA methods successfully obtained optimal factors in order to improve SE and remaining protection of mechanical and physical properties in plaster mortar.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia

Year dc:date.issued

2019

Author dc:creator

• Oh Lai Ching, Narong

• TK2000-2891 Dynamoelectric machinery and auxiliaries. Including generators, motors, transformers

Language dc:language

en