Title: Multi objective optimisation of thermally enhanced machining parameters of Inconel 718 using grey relational analysis

Authors: Venkatesh Ganta; K. Srinivasa Sagar; D. Chakradhar

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Karnataka, Surathkal, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Karnataka, Surathkal, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Karnataka, Surathkal, India

Abstract: The present work investigates an experimental study of thermally enhanced machining of nickel-based superalloy Inconel 718 using uncoated tungsten carbide inserts. An inexpensive flame heating technique using an oxyacetylene flame is used as a heat source for thermal enhancement of workpiece. The effects of cutting parameters like cutting speed, feed rate, depth of cut and temperature of workpiece on the performance characteristics like surface roughness, tool wear and material removal rate were studied. A L₂₇ orthogonal array with four parameters and three levels was adopted for experimental design. Multi response optimisation was done using grey relation analysis to simultaneously minimise surface roughness, tool wear and to maximise material removal rate. It was observed that at cutting speed at 85.21 m/min, feed rate at 0.048 m/min, depth of cut at 0.6 mm and workpiece temperature at 600°C were optimal cutting parameters. It is clearly shown that the above performance characteristics in thermally enhanced machining can be improved effectively through this approach.

Keywords: thermally enhanced machining; surface roughness; tool wear; material removal rate; MRR; Taguchi methods; grey relational analysis; GRA; ANOVA; multi objective optimisation; Inconel 718; surface quality; nickel superalloys; tungsten carbide inserts; cutting speed; feed rate; depth of cut; workpiece temperature; orthogonal arrays; experimental design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMM.2017.081189

International Journal of Machining and Machinability of Materials, 2017 Vol.19 No.1, pp.57 - 75

Received: 03 Sep 2015
Accepted: 01 Dec 2015
Published online: 26 Dec 2016 *

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