Optimization for Engineering Problems

3Machinability and Multi-response Optimization of EDM of Al7075/SIC/WS2 Hybrid Composite Using the PROMETHEE Method

Hybrid aluminum metal matrix composites are gaining much interest in several applications, such as automobile, aerospace and agricultural farm machinery, and as a substrate in electronics, golf clubs, turbine blades and brake pads. This is due to their exceptional qualities such as high strength, low density, good wear resistance and low thermal expansion coefficient in comparison to many other metals and alloys. Aluminum metal matrix composites can replace many conventional metals owing to high performance, long life, low cost, high efficiency and a good grade of materials. These groups of properties are continuously expanding by reinforcing different materials such as graphite, fly ash, SiC, WS2, TiC, red mud and organic materials on the aluminum metal matrix in various proportions. Every reinforced material has its own advantages and enhances the properties of the base metal or alloy when it is added. Nano- or micro-size SiC particle reinforcement yields better bonding in the matrix, which in turn leads to improvement of the properties. Furthermore, wear resistance can be improved by secondary reinforcement; hence, efforts have been made to investigate various combinations of the composites with different types of reinforcement material to examine their effects on the mechanical, thermal and tribological properties of aluminum hybrid composites. These composites ...