Multi-Criteria Decision Making Approach for Selection of a Base Metal for Al-Based Metal Matrix Composites

Abstract

As material selection is the vital component in the design and engineering, the studies are made to narrow down the number of effective alternatives and to select a best suitable material through quantitative analysis by providing performance scores statistically for prioritizing the alternatives. This priority evaluation is subjected to technical and subjective criteria like mechanical properties, electrical characteristics and cost component as well. So, this process can be considered to be a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM). A detailed approach to assign weights to the criteria chosen using entropy method followed by ranking the candidate alternate materials using TOPSIS (Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solutions), EDAS (Evaluation Based on Distance from Average Solution), WASPAS (Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment), MOORA (Multi-objective optimization on the basis of ratio analysis), VIKOR (VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje) and CODAS (Combinative Distance-Based Assessment) is presented here. Finally Spearman coefficient is applied to find correlation between raking methods of MCDM. To select the best base material for aluminium (Al) metal matrix composite, 2xxx (2011, 2014, 2024, 2048, 2219, 2618) and 7xxx (7039, 7049, 7050, 7075, 7175, 7178) Al alloy configuration alloys are selected for the analysis as they are best utilized in aerospace applications.