Selection of Optimum Hybrid Composite Material for Structural Applications Through TOPSIS Technique

Abstract

Currently Aluminum alloys and polymer based fibre composites are being used for various structural applications. It is always an advantageous to have light weight high strength materials. In this context, hybrid nanocomposites are fabricated and tested for their mechanical properties to meet various applications. Due to the conflicting nature of the mechanical properties, a multi criteria decision model employing AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process), Entropy, and TOPSIS techniques were developed with the goal of selecting an appropriate material to meet the objective out of various material combinations. A framework has been developed to assist composite structure designers in selecting the best fibre types for a given application. The purpose of this paper is to first investigate the impact of weighting methods in multiple criteria decision making (MCDM), and then to develop a systematic framework for optimum fibre selection among all fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites.