Optimization of burr height in drilling of aluminium matrix composites (LM5/ZrO2) using Taguchi technique

Abstract

ABSTRACT Drilling is an important hole making process; it plays a vital role in component assembly. The inclusion of hard ceramic particles into the aluminium matrix has made them challenging to machine. So, optimising the drilling process parameters becomes inevitable. The primary objective of this research work is to manufacture aluminium matrix composites with LM5 aluminium alloy as matrix and 3%, 6% & 9% of ZrO2 as reinforcement employing stir casting technique. The next objective is to drill composites with speed, feed, drill and reinforcement percentage as input processing parameters by Taguchi’s Design of Experiments approach at three levels each. The final goal is to optimise the drilling process parameters to achieve minimum burr height using the Taguchi’s Signal-to-Noise ratio analysis method. In drilling, burr shows a significant part in product eminence and thus reducing burr size is necessary at the production level. The error is 8% between the S/N values of burr height.