Optimizing of Wire EDM Parameters for Damping Capacity of Aluminum Alloy

Abstract

This paper discusses the use of the Taguchi experimental design technique to find the optimal parameters while machining A356.2 alloy. The effect of WEDM parameters like pulse on time (Ton), pulse off time (Toff) and peak current (IP) on damping capacity of A356.2 alloy was studied and the optimal parameters for the maximum damping capacity were evaluated. Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal arrays under different combinations are used for experimentation. The effect of the parameters such as pulse on time (TON), pulse off time (TOFF) and peak current (IP) is also evaluated using signal to noise (S/N) ratio analysis. Optimum parameters which give maximum damping capacity are obtained. The damping behavior is done using dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA8000) at frequency ranging from 1 to 25 at room temperature and at constant stain amplitude. The scanning electron microscope was used to investigate the morphology on the machined surface and the related mechanisms are explained and presented. From the results, the optimal parameters for maximum damping capacity were found to be (Ton) = 111, pulse off time (Toff) = 57 and peak current (I.P) = 210A.