El ciclo PHVA aplicado al diseño de experimentos de mezclas para la optimización de recubrimientos: una aplicación industrial.

Abstract

This study utilized the PDCA cycle to optimize properties of an architectural coating through mixture experiments. Initially, in the first stage "Plan", an experimental plan was developed to attain the desired properties, with calcium carbonate, talc, and kaolin selected as key mixture components. Subsequently, the augmented simplex-centroid-mixture design was utilized to execute experimental runs in the second phase of the "Do" stage. Twenty experiments were conducted and assessed for viscosity, percentage of contrast ratio, whiteness percentage, brightness, and cost. During the third stage "Check” the experimental outcomes were evaluated, and each property was adjusted to a statistical model to predict its values. Viscosity, percentage of whiteness, and gloss were adjusted to a quadratic model, while percent contrast ratio was adjusted to a specific cubic model. Finally, during the last stage "Act” the properties were optimized according to established constraints while minimizing costs. The architectural coating's properties were optimized using a mixture composed of 6,11% calcium carbonate, 11,36% talc, and 3,37% kaolin by volume with respect to the total formula. The experimental test was conducted on the optimized mixture to ensure the accuracy and precision of the statistical model results.