A hierarchy weighting preferences model to optimise green composite characteristics for better sustainable bio-products

Abstract

The proper choice of green ingredients for environmentally bio-composites can totally improve achieving low-cost design for better sustainable societies. However, numerous factors usually affect attaining the eco-friendly bio-composite materials. This work introduced a hierarchy preferences model to optimise bio-materials based on their desired characteristics. Here, a weighting preferences model was developed to achieve the best composites that have maximised desired properties considering combined evaluation criteria. Mechanical properties were considered as the key assessment criteria for such eco-friendly bio-composites. These criteria preciously affected the assortment of the most appropriate and desired mechanical properties of the bio-composites for various green products and industries to enhance the sustainability of modern societies as well as achieving better ways of utilising the available natural resources. Results revealed that only about 60% of the initial considered bio-composites are potential to be utilised in further applications according to their relative credentials. Moreover, results had supported the ambiguous selection of the best bio-composite alternatives regarding only individual evaluation criteria. All alternatives were also found difficult to be evaluated regarding the whole desired stand points simultaneously as various bio-composites showed unclear trends regarding the whole desired mechanical properties.

Keywords

• bio-composites
• mechanical properties
• environment
• sustainability
• decision-support