Optimal design of flyash filled composite friction materials using combined Analytical Hierarchy Process and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solutions approach

The performances of flyash based fibre reinforced-phenolic composites have been rigorously evaluated on a Krauss friction testing machine following PVW-3212 norms as per the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) regulations and have been discussed in-terms of fade, recovery, performance friction coefficient, wear and disc-temperature rise. The present paper deals with tribo-performance analysis interms of sensitivity of the overall performance due to any fluctuations in six selected performance defining attributes (PDA) specifically with regard to friction-fade, friction-recovery, wear, disc-temperature rise and averaged friction performance. The relative weights of importance of the PDAs with respect to overall friction performance have been elicited by the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The ranking of the friction materials has been carried out by the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solutions (TOPSIS). In the sensitivity analysis part, the weightage of the PDAs were systematically varied within a specified range to assess the response of different friction materials so as to optimally design materials for varied friction applications. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.