Title: Material selection using hybrid MCDM approach for automobile bumper

Authors: M. Ilangkumaran; A. Avenash; V. Balakrishnan; S. Barath Kumar; M. Boopathi Raja

Addresses: Department of Mechatronics Engineering, K.S. Rangasamy College of Technology, Tiruchengode, Tamil Nadu, India ' Department of Mechatronics Engineering, K.S. Rangasamy College of Technology, Tiruchengode, Tamil Nadu, India ' Department of Mechatronics Engineering, K.S. Rangasamy College of Technology, Tiruchengode, Tamil Nadu, India ' Department of Mechatronics Engineering, K.S. Rangasamy College of Technology, Tiruchengode, Tamil Nadu, India ' Department of Mechatronics Engineering, K.S. Rangasamy College of Technology, Tiruchengode, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract: This paper describes an application of multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques to evaluate optimum material to be employed for manufacturing of automobile bumper. The proposed hybrid MCDM technique involves fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP) integrated with preference ranking organisation method for enrichment evaluation (PROMETHEE). FAHP is used to compute the criteria weights. PROMETHEE I is used to find out the leaving and entering flows, whereas PROMETHEE II is used to find the total ranking of the material. This study focuses on five alternatives such as polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyamide and polystyrene. This study uses six evaluation criteria such as compressive yield strength, flexural modulus, hardness, Charpy impact strength, elongation and cost to select the appropriate material.

Keywords: materials selection; MCDM; multicriteria decision making; FAHP; fuzzy AHP; analytical hierarchy process; PROMETHEE; preference ranking organisation; enrichment evaluation; automobile industry; automotive bumpers; bumper manufacturing; bumper materials.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISE.2013.052919

International Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering, 2013 Vol.14 No.1, pp.20 - 39

Published online: 27 Dec 2013 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article