Influence of machining parameters on wire electrical discharge machining performance of reduced graphene oxide/magnesium composite and its surface integrity characteristics

Abstract

Taguchi coupled grey relation analysis is adopted to study the effects of machining parameters of Wire Electrical-Discharge Machining (WEDM) on magnesium metal matrix composite reinforced with Reduced Graphene Oxide(r-GO). An optimal combination of process parameter was expected to be finalized in this research to attain maximum Material Removal Rate (MRR) with a minimal surface roughness (Ra) value. The composite was fabricated through solvent based powder metallurgy route for varying percentage of r-GO. Experimental combination for WEDM of developed composite specimens were finalized to be L27 orthogonal array (OA) using Taguchi's method mainly based on the control factors namely reinforcement weight percentage (wt.%), pulse ON time (P1), pulse OFF time (P2) and wire feed rate (Wfd). ANOVA results revealed that wt.% and P1 are the most influencing parameters for MRR and Ra. Outputs scaleup that the developed regression model augments well with the experimental values. Using grey relation analysis (GRA) the optimal parameter was set and the final results obtained based on the optimal combination was found to be with a maximum MRR (18.38 mm3/min) and minimum Ra (3.29 μm). Traces of intermetallic formation are identified over the machined surface due to the action of machining parameters.