Taguchi’s method of optimization of fracture toughness parameters of $Al SiC_p$ composite using compact tension specimens

Abstract

The objective of this work is to investigate the process parameters which influencethe fracture toughness of aluminum-silicon carbide particulate composite preparedusing the stir casting technique. The Taguchi’s design of experiments is conductedto analyze the process parameters. Three parameters considered are compositionof material, grain size and a/W ratio. From the Taguchi’s analysis, on compacttension specimens, aluminum 6061 reinforced with 9 wt% of the silicon carbideparticles composite and a/W ratio of 0.45 are considered to be optimizedparameters. Taguchi's technique result shows that the increment in the a/W ratiocauses decrement in the load carrying capacity of the composite. Whereas the finegrain size of silicon carbide have better toughness values. From the ANOVAoutcomes it is clear that the composition and a/W ratio of the geometry has moreinfluence on the fracture toughness than the grain size of reinforcement.