Title: Application of grey relational analysis for material and end of life strategy selection with multiple criteria

Authors: K. Jayakrishna; S. Vinodh

Addresses: School of Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India ' Department of Production Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli-620 015, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract: Material selection is a vital phase in product development as it considers several criteria and solves trade-offs that exist among the criteria. Also, the environmental considerations are gaining importance. This article deals with the material selection process with reference to the application of an automotive component. The study presents an integrated approach for material selection coupled with the end of life (EoL) strategy. Grey relational analysis (GRA) was used to provide the solution by ranking materials considering cost, material properties and environmental impacts. EoL and strategy of the materials were also considered in ranking. The combinations were ranked using GRA in the order: SL-REU, SL-REP, SL-REN, SL-REC, SL-REM, AL-REU, AL-REC, AL-REM, AL-REP, PP-REU, ABS-REU, ABS-REC, PP-REC. The ranking configured that steel with reuse strategy as the most favourable material, considering repair, reconditioning, recycle and remanufacturing EoL options for steel. The approach combining material properties with EoL strategy will enable the selection of suitable material. The results of the study indicated the feasibility of evaluating material options using the developed multi-criteria approach.

Keywords: sustainability; material selection; decision making; product development; grey relational analysis; GRA; end of life strategy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMATEI.2017.090241

International Journal of Materials Engineering Innovation, 2017 Vol.8 No.3/4, pp.250 - 272

Received: 03 Jul 2017
Accepted: 22 Oct 2017
Published online: 06 Mar 2018 *

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