Multi Response Optimization of Fabrication Parameters of Carbon Fiber‐Reinforced Aluminium Laminates (CARAL): By Taguchi Method and Gray Relational Analysis

Abstract

In this article, the fabrication parameters of carbon fiber‐reinforced aluminium laminates (CARAL) were optimized using gray relational analysis. CARAL were fabricated by hand layup technique as per the control factors and levels designed using Taguchi's L9 orthogonal array. The control factors are layer thickness, orientation, and matrix. The CARAL were fabricated with different layer thickness, orientation and matrix. Flexural and Impact tests were carried out using universal testing machine and impact testing machine.Using gray relational analysis, the optimum levels of parameters have been identified and significant contributions of parameters were determined by analysis of variance. The significant fabrication parameters layer thickness and matrix influence the multi‐response characteristics such as flexural strength and impact energy. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E1041–E1048, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers