Novel Optimization of Friction Welding Parameters to Improve Mechanical Properties

Abstract

This paper explores the use of multi-criteria optimization to find better combination of parameters of friction welding process to provide better mechanical properties at the welded joints. This is achieved by developing a new hybrid methodology by integrating TOPSIS method and entropy measurement. TOPSIS method is used to find the order preference by similarity to ideal solution. Entropy method is used to find the weights of output responses. The mechanical strength of friction welded joints depends on several process parameters namely size of work piece, spindle speed, friction time, forging time, friction pressure, etc., Better combination of process parameters leads to quality joint, reduction of cost and wastages. Hybrid TOPSIS method was proposed to predict parameters that resulting superior mechanical properties. Specimen were produced with the predicted parameters and tested to confirm the superiority. Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal array is selected for conducting experiments. It is observed that friction time and spindle speed are the foremost factors but friction pressure influences less on mechanical strength.