Comparative Analysis and Optimization of Thermoelectric Machining of Alumina and Silicon Carbide-Reinforced Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites Using Different Electrodes

Abstract

In this paper, a comparative experimental analysis of die-sinking electric discharge machining (EDM) to two most exhaustively used aluminum metal matrix composites (AMMCs) has been performed using Copper and Tungsten as tool electrodes. AMMCs containing silicon carbide (SiC) and alumina (Al2O[Formula: see text] as reinforcement (10[Formula: see text]wt%) were fabricated by stir casting method. The Box–Behnken Design (BBD) approach of response surface methodology was used to develop experimental models for material removal rate (MRR) and surface roughness (SR). Effect of input parameters such as current ([Formula: see text]–12[Formula: see text]A), gap voltage ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]V), pulse-on time ([Formula: see text]s), and duty factor ([Formula: see text]–6) on the output responses has been investigated with response surface plots. Effectiveness of design of experiment (DoE) and evolutionary algorithm-based multi-objective optimization (MOO) technique have been compared to find the best feasible optimal solution. ANOVA analysis reveals that for alumina reinforced AMMC interaction between [Formula: see text] has significant effect on both MRR and SR using Cu electrode. But for tungsten, electrode interaction between [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] have major role on MRR whereas SR is mostly influenced by interaction between [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. The parametric analysis reveals that an increase of current from 4[Formula: see text]A to 12[Formula: see text]A at a higher pulse-ontime increases the MRR more significantly, and higher MRR occurs in cases of alumina-reinforced AMMC. Increase of pulse-ontime at low current (4[Formula: see text]A) reduces the MRR in AMMC/Al2O3. Good surface finish can be obtained by combining high voltage (60[Formula: see text]V) with either small current (4[Formula: see text]A) or small duty factor (4) for both AMMCs. Both DoE and metaheuristic-based MOO technique reveals that copper electrode should be preferred for die-sinking EDM of AMMC/SiC. Metaheuristic approach should be preferred for optimization of die-sinking EDM of AMMCs using different electrodes because it requires low current for effective machining of different AMMCs.