Taguchi optimization of wire EDM parameters for surface roughness of Al 6061 alloy based composite with sic reinforcement

Abstract

The Al 6061 alloy based Al-SiC metal matrix composite is rated as one of the most commonly used Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) today. The MMC specimens studied in this research work were fabricated with the stir casting process. This research work studies important parameters in the wire electric discharge machining of Al-SiC 6061 MMC. We employed Taguchi approach to study the machining parameters during the machining process and to minimize the surface roughness values of the surfaces obtained by Wire EDM (Wire Electric Discharge Machine) machining. We found out that out of the seven factors used in this study, gap voltage during the wire EDM machining is the most prominent factor which influences the obtained surface roughness values. Comparatively, a very low value of surface roughness (Rq) was obtained by us during confirmation test by us.