Articles
  • Optimization of friction stir welding process parameters on AA 6063-SiC-B4C hybrid metal matrix composites by genetic algorithm

  • R. Srinivasana, B. Suresh Babub,*, P. Prathapc, Ruban Whenishd, R. Soundararajane and G. Chandramohanf

  • aProfessor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Krishna College of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
    bAssistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Krishna College of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
    cProfessor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Krishna College of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
    dApplication Engineer, Manna chemicals and Drugs Private Limited, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
    eAssociate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Krishna College of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
    fProfessor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, P.S.G Institute of Technology and Applied Research, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India

  • This article is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is a metal joining process has its own benefits over fusion welding processes. FSW Aluminium Metal Matrix Composites (AMMC) replaced conventional metals for structural applications in aerospace, automobile and marine sectors. In this present investigation, process parameters of FSW for joining AA 6063-SiC-B4C hybrid MMCs were optimized in order to achieve maximum tensile strength. Initially, AMMC was manufactured through stir casting with the matrix AA 6063 and reinforcements SiC and B4C. The hybrid MMC work pieces were subjected to FSW process by varying the process parameters such as tool rotation speed, welding speed and axial force using Taguchi L27 orthogonal array. Tensile strength of hybrid composite was examined and regression analysis were done using MINITAB V17 software. Genetic Algorithm technique was used to optimize the tensile strength with FSW parametric combinations. The optimum parameters for FSW of AA6063-SiC-B4C hybrid composites were Tool rotational speed (TRS) – 1050 rpm; Axial Force (AF) – 10 kN and Weld Speed (WS) – 45 mm/min obtained. The optimal parameters were applied to experimental study and the results were validated


Keywords: Hybrid metal matrix composite, Stir Casting, FSW, Genetic algorithm, Tensile strength

This Article

  • 2021; 22(1): 16-24

    Published on Feb 28, 2021

  • 10.36410/jcpr.2021.22.1.16
  • Received on Mar 31, 2020
  • Revised on Aug 23, 2020
  • Accepted on Nov 11, 2020

Correspondence to

  • B. Suresh Babu

  • Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Krishna College of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
    Tel : +91-9360556961

  • E-mail: babusrptc@yahoo.co.in