Optimization for Turning of Al-6061-SiC-Gr Hybrid Nanocomposites Using Response Surface Methodologies

Metal matrix composites have cemented their applicability in industrial sector by virtue of their excellent mechanical properties. However, work has largely been done on the studies related to macro/microsize particles. This work has been aimed to evaluate the influence of input parameters in turning of Al-6061-SiC-Gr hybrid nanocomposites. This article evaluates the effect of process parameters on the cutting force and average roughness of the machined surface in turning of Al-6061-SiC-Gr nanocomposites. The experiments were designed using CCD, and cutting force and roughness were evaluated using response surface methodology. Statistical models were generated. The results of the study indicated that feed rate and depth of cut are the major influencing factors in descending order for the cutting force. The analysis of surface roughness revealed that both these factors are having identical effect. The cutting speed had little effect on cutting force and an improvement is seen in surface finish. The experiments also revealed that tool wear is negligible for nanocomposites. The software-predicted values and the experimentally obtained values of the responses were acceptably close to each other with an error percentage of less than 5%. Using response surface optimization, optimal combinations of machining parameters are also obtained.