Heat transfer enhancement through perforated fin made by MMC by reinforcing Aluminium with SiC & Graphite and optimization of design parameters using Taguchi method

Abstract

This research paper examines the performance of Al-SiC/4%Graphite as a perforated fin material in opposition to traditional materials that is – aluminum, rectangular fin prepared with lateral circular perforations of varying sizes such as 12 mm, 14 mm, 16 mm, and 18 mm (porosity are 0.028, 0.038, 0.050 and 0.064). The perpendicular fragmentary area of the fin was 40x3 mm, the length of the fin is 100 mm, and different velocity of flow rates are 4, 5, 6, and 7 m/s. by applying Taguchi L16 method, the best design constraints and then their levels were studied. Varity of specimens made by Stir Casting with varied Combinations of Sic, 4%(Gr) in Al as Matrix. SiC powder with various volume fractions (5, 10, and 15%) and particle size (150 μm) was mixed with Graphite-4% powder to manufacture Al-4 %Graphite/SiC composite. Results revealed that by increasing the volume fraction of SiC particles, heat transmission of the Al- SiC/4%Graphite nanocomposite was enhanced. With a Combination of Al/15%(SiC)/4%(Gr) high heat transfer coefficient, and heat transfer rate improved compared to conventional Aluminium, for porosity 0.064 friction factor and pressure drop were found to be high. The Optimal results were found for the fin made by Al/15%(SiC)/4%(Gr) when compared with normal fin materials, and it was also found that fin made by Al/15%(SiC)/4%(Gr) has high strength and less weight.