Multi-Response Optimization of Mechanical Properties of Al reinforced by Al₂O₃ and/or SiC using Grey Relational Analysis

Abstract

Abstract Metal matrix composites (MMCs) combine attractive characteristics of ceramics and metals. Al-hybrid composites are a recent generation of MMCs and have the potential to satisfy new demands in advanced engineering applications. In this work, Al-MMC has been fabricated by mixing various percentages of Al 2 O 3 and/or SiC reinforcement into the Al alloy, using stir casting. The mechanical properties (hardness, yield strength, tensile strength, elongation and flexural strength) have been measured for the fabricated MMCs. Grey relational analysis (GRA), based on the Taguchi method, is applied using three factors Al 2 O 3 , SiC and Al 2 O 3 + SiC with three levels. Results show that the all reinforcement materials have a significant influence on the response. Results also show that the Taguchi-based grey relational approach improved the properties of output response of hybrid MMC.