IMPRESSION EVALUATION BASED ON VISUAL-TACTILE SENSORY CHARACTERISTICS OF BRAID COMPOSITES

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of braid color, pattern, and matrix material on the sensory characteristics of braid composites to develop composites with enhanced sensory value. Ramie fibers were used in braiding to produce reinforcement materials and change color and color composition for creating different patterns. Subsequently, braids were compounded with matrix materials (epoxy resin, one-component modified silicone, or two-component liquid silicone rubber) to produce braid composite samples. These samples were evaluated for visual-tactile impressions using factor analysis (principal axis method and varimax rotation) in conjunction with the results of cluster analysis (hierarchical clustering, Ward's method) to estimate the effects of the matrix material, color, and pattern on sensory characteristics. The results showed that matrix material has the strongest effect on sensory characteristics. In addition, matrix material determines the surface attributes, bright colors can make samples more attractive, and complex patterns elicit a great sense of creativity.