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Strategic Selection of Fiber-Reinforced Thermoplastics Via AHP-TRIZ for Aircraft Food Tray Application

Anahar Nurul Aina, Muhammad Asyraf Muhammad Rizal, Shahril Hakimi Jusoh, Amer Iskandar Rae’is, Siti Khairunisah Ghazali, Rushdan Ahmad Ilyas, Mohd Yazid Yahya, Noryani Muhammad

Abstract


Thermoplastic polymers have attracted growing interest for aircraft interior applications due to their lightweight characteristics, recyclability, impact resistance, and compatibility with high-volume manufacturing processes. However, systematic approaches for selecting fiber-reinforced thermoplastic materials for aerospace interior components remain limited, largely due to the complexity of balancing mechanical performance, weight constraints, cost efficiency, and manufacturability requirements. This study proposes an integrated material selection framework combining Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) to support structured decision-making and resolve engineering trade-offs. Four evaluation criteria, namely density, tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and availability, were considered within the AHP model, while TRIZ was applied to address contradictions between structural strength, weight reduction, and process feasibility. Among the evaluated alternatives, glass fiber-reinforced acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) achieved the highest overall ranking, demonstrating the most balanced combination of performance and practical suitability for aircraft food tray applications. The integrated AHP–TRIZ methodology provides a systematic and scalable decision-making tool for aerospace composite development. Future work will focus on hybrid fiber architecture optimization and long-term durability evaluation to enhance structural reliability in aviation interior systems.

Keywords



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DOI: 10.14416/j.asep.2026.07.004

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