Simultaneous optimisation of quality and productivity characteristics during machining of multiwall carbon nanotube/epoxy nanocomposites

ABSTRACT

This article highlights the optimisation of drilling parameters using a combined approach of multiobjective optimisation on the basis of ratio analysis (MOORA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). During drilling, the prime objective is to achieve the minimum surface roughness, torque, thrust force, delamination at entry and exit. The MWCNT wt.%, spindle speed, feed rate, and tool material are taken as process parameters. The drilling was performed according to the Taguchi L₂₇ orthogonal array (OA). During the aggregation of conflicting responses, priority weight assessment was done by the PCA method. The outcomes of the validation test show a satisfactory agreement with actual ones that confirms the feasibility of the proposed module. The MOORA-PCA gives higher assessment values than the traditional MOORA method with uniform response weight. It has been noticed that the MWCNT wt. % plays a vital role in machining performances. The higher speed and low feed rate provide the desired improvements in the objective function. Further, SEM analysis was performed to evaluate the quality of machined samples.

KEYWORDS:

• Drilling
• polymer
• nanocomposites
• mwcnt
• MOORA
• PCA

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the kind support of the M/s. Dynamic Industries, Morta Industrial Area, Delhi Meerut Road, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh India, for extending all possible help in carrying out this research work directly or indirectly.

Disclosure statement

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This raw material used in this research work was purchased under Project sanction no. UPCST-D/2491 of Council of Science and Technology scheme, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh, India.

Notes on contributors

Prakhar Kumar Kharwar

Prakhar Kumar Kharwar is a Research Scholar in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology, Gorakhpur, India. Currently, he is working in the area of Machining of Polymer composites, Modeling, optimization of conventional and unconventional machining operations.

Rajesh Kumar Verma

Rajesh Kumar Verma is an Associate Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology, Gorakhpur, India. He received his Ph.D. (Engg.) from Jadavpur University, Kolkata India. He is actively involved in teaching and research in the area of nanomaterial, polymer composites, modeling, simulation, optimization, advanced machining, Machinability aspects of composites materials.

Abhishek Singh

Abhishek Singh is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the National Institute of Technology Patna, India. He received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, India.  His research interest includes Advanced and Hybrid Machining Processes, Machining of Advanced Materials, Processing and Characterization of Composite Materials.