Multi-criteria decision model for selection of a material suitable to lightning strike protection in aerospace applications

Abstract

In order to protect the aerospace structures against electromagneticinterference (EMI) caused by lightning strikes, metallic meshes or foils are currently being used. But the additional weight of metallic meshes cause counterbalance of weight saving imparted by the composite materials. In this context, Al6061 hybrid metal matrix composite specimens with different proportions of SiC, Al2O3 and fly ash particulates as reinforcement materials have been prepared and tested their characteristics suitability to lightning strike protection (LSP). As there is a conflicting nature among these properties a multi-criteria decision model using AHP, Entropy and TOPSIS techniques with a view to select appropriate specimen to meet the objective. The results of the proposed decision model are compared with that of the other methods VIKOR and PROMETHEE so as to validate the results. The same weightages for the properties are used in all the three methods. The proposed decision model is the robust one for ranking of the materials.