Exploration of MFOA in PAC parameters on machining Inconel 718

ABSTRACT

Exploring the machinability variables of nickel-based superalloys was difficult due to challenging machinability and a complex cutting environment. The present study emphasizes optimizing the parameters of plasma arc cutting (PAC) of Inconel 718 superalloy sheet. The PAC machining was done based on a viable DoE approach of Box–Behnken design. The statistical significance of the proposed experimental design approach was investigated through analysis of variance. The influences of PAC variables traverse speed (TS), torch height (TH), arc current (AC), and gas pressure (GP) on the response variables of micro hardness (MH), kerf deviation (KD) and surface roughness (R_a) were investigated through response surface plots. The optimal PAC parameters were obtained through a population-based metaheuristic algorithm, namely moth flame optimization (MFO). The optimal processing conditions of PAC based on MFO were found as 100 Amps of AC, 776.72 mm/min of TS, 6.18 bar of GP and 3 mm of TH, respectively. Further, the outcomes of the MFO algorithm are compared with benchmark algorithms, and their results indicated that the proposed MFO was feasible in the prediction and optimization of the PAC process.

KEYWORDS:

• Plasma arc cutting
• Inconel 918
• moth flame algorithm
• Box-Behnken design
• optimization

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).