Prioritization of Wheel Materials Using MCDM Techniques (TOPSIS) for Automobile Wheels

Abstract

The wheels of an automobile are not just one of the concluding assemblies but also one of the most important. Judicious selection of the material for their production forms the basis of their design and performance. With multiple alloys of each suitable material being discovered, we have a host of new properties to fine tune, to optimize the production. We address this problem in this paper, by using Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). TOPSIS allows us to choose between multitude of factors, as well as different property domains. The materials used, along with their respective alloys, are aluminium, magnesium and titanium. The various properties of these materials (Physical, Mechanical, Thermal, etc.) have been compared against each other with their viability using TOPSIS, to determine the most optimal material and its alloy which can be used in wheels. Also the application point is also considered wherein the most optimum material for heavy weight vehicles as well as expensive vehicles is determined using the similar approach.