Taguchi optimization of surface roughness in grinding of cryogenically treated AISI 5140 steel

This study investigated the performance of the grinding parameters used in the cylindrical grinding process of AISI 5140 steel and identified optimum grinding conditions via the Taguchi optimization method. Experiments were carried out via the L-18 orthogonal array. Control factors for optimum surface roughness (Ra) values were determined by using the Taguchi method. Two different grinding wheels (SiC and Al2O3), three different cryogenic samples (CHT, DCTT-15 and DCTT-30) and depth of cuts (100, 200 and 300 mu m) were selected as control factors. The cylindrical grinding test results showed that optimal Ra values were obtained on specimens cryogenically treated for 30 h (DCTT-30). Linear and quadratic regression analyses were conducted for the experimental results. The correlation coefficients (R-2) were found to be 0.957 and 0.993 with linear and quadratic regression models, respectively. Finally, confirmation tests were performed and showed that the optimization had been successfully implemented.