Wire Electrical Discharge Machining (WEDM) of Hybrid Composites (Al-Si12/B4C/Fly Ash)

Abstract

The present study looks into the effect of WEDM process parameters on the material removal rate (MRR) and surface roughness (SR) responses when machining hybrid composites (Al-Si12/boron carbide/fly ash) using the Taguchi technique. Fly ash and boron carbide (B4C) particles were used for reinforcement (3%, 6%, and 9% by weight), and aluminium alloy (Al-Si12) was used as a matrix material. ANOVA was used to find out the importance of machining factors that affect the quality features of the WEDM process, as well as the relative role of input parameters in determining the WEDM process’ responses. The greatest impact on the response is finalised by the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio response analysis. However, as a last step, a confirmation experiment with the best combination was carried out to predict and validate the accuracy of the observed values. As the pulse on time and reinforcement increases, MRR also increases. As the gap voltage, wire feed, and pulse off time decrease, it increases. SR is increased by increasing the gap voltage, pulse on time, and pulse off time, wire feed, and reinforcement. The maximum MRR of 38.01 mm3/min and the minimum SR of 3.24 μm were obtained using optimal machining conditions.