Title: Optimisation of EDM process parameters for AA7050-10 (WT) % B₄C composite through ARAS, grey and Taguchi technique

Authors: Arvind Kumar; Ram Naresh Rai

Addresses: Department of Production Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Agartala, Jirania, 799046, Tripura, India ' Department of Production Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Agartala, Jirania, 799046, Tripura, India

Abstract: The present paper discusses the development of AA7050-10(wt.) % B₄C composite through flux assisted stir casting method and its machinability using die sinking EDM. Taguchi L₁₆ orthogonal array were used to perform experiments. Material removal rate, surface roughness and tool wear rate were evaluated as machinability measure by considering the concurrent effect of various process parameters. The collected responses were optimised using additive ratio assessment (ARAS) and grey relation analysis and Taguchi technique. Pulse current of 16 A, pulse on time of 200 μs, and pulse off time of 30 μs were obtained as the optimum machining parameters. The validity of the Taguchi analysis was further verified by conducting a confirmation experiment. The error estimation for both methods is less than 5%. However, ARAS method gives the least percentage error than grey relation analysis. Hence, ARAS model is suitable to optimise the process parameters of electro discharge machining.

Keywords: AA7050-B₄C composite; additive ratio assessment; ARAS; grey relation analysis; GRA; EDM; Taguchi; analysis of variance; ANOVA.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2019.102621

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2019 Vol.59 No.2, pp.102 - 120

Received: 01 May 2018
Accepted: 07 Mar 2019
Published online: 30 Sep 2019 *

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