TOPSIS-Based Selection of Optimal Proportion Among Different Combinations of Hybrid AMCs

Introduction

Composites are generally a combination of materials, in which two or more metals or metals with non-metals are joined together at any proportion. Ceramics, industrial and agricultural wastes are chosen more often to be a part of these composites. Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) form a predominant part in the fabrication of composites for various uses, as they are produced and used more excessively than its peers Ceramic Matrix and Polymer Matrix Composites. Bodunrin et al. presented a review on the overall reinforcement philosophies, mechanical, corrosion and tribological properties of Aluminium Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites. Their findings are: Aluminium hybrid composites are a new generation of metal matrix composites that have the potentials of satisfying the recent demands of advanced engineering applications (Bodunrin, et al., 2015). In Metal Matrix Composites, metals and their alloys are the major constituents.

Aluminium, which is one of the most abundant materials in the Earth’s crust has been used in various forms, shapes and sizes over a long period of time. It is traditionally an inevitable metal, which provides its contribution to each and every industrial manufacturing industry. Normally, it is called ‘researcher’s delight’, as its alloys as well as composites account to more than half of the total researches done across the world. Aluminium Matrix Composites (AMCs) are extensively used in a number of fields, due to their fascinating attributes like low cost, less weight, high strength-to-weight ratio, high hardness and excellent resistance to corrosion and wear, to name a few. Mali and Sonawane, in their paper dealt with the effect of hybrid reinforcement on mechanical behaviour of Aluminium Matrix Composites. The paper deals with the fabrication of aluminum-based hybrid metal matrix composite and then characterized their mechanical properties such as hardness, toughness and tensile strength (Mali & Sonawane, 2014).

Generally, more quantum of researches is being made in paradigms like effect of process parameters in casting AMCs and their optimization, Experimental investigation of mechanical properties in AMCs, Study of corrosion resistance and tribological behavior in AMCs, etc. Bandare and Sonawane described the preparation of Metal Matrix Composites by Stir Casting method. Stir casting process is mainly used for manufacturing of particulate reinforced metal matrix composite (PMMC). Manufacturing of aluminum alloy based casting composite by stir casting is one of the most economical method of processing MMC (Bandare & Sonawane, 2013). Krishna et al. made an attempt to enhance the mechanical properties like tensile strength and hardness of AMCs by reinforcing 6061Al matrix with B₄C particles. By stir casting route, aluminium matrix was reinforced with boron carbide particulates of 37, 44, 63, 105, 250μ sizes respectively (Krishna et al., 2013). Lancaster et al. elaborated that the application of agro-industrial wastes in Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites, which is been getting more attention in modern days as they can enhance the strength properties of the composites with various case studies (Lancaster, et al., 2013). The effect of inclusion of rice husk ash as second reinforcement in the mechanical and tribological properties of Alumina reinforced AMC is discussed by Gupta and Tahi in their research paper (Gupta & Tahi, 2015). The results clearly showed that the tensile strength, micro hardness, flexural strength and wear resistance is more in Al-Al₂O₃-RHA hybrid composite than single reinforced Al- Al₂O₃ composite.

Zavadskas et al. in their paper dealing with the state of art surveys of overviews on MCDM/MADM methods, explained the types, importance of MCDM in operations research and the application of different MCDM techniques in various fields (Zavadskas, et al., 2014). Olsen in his introductory paper about comparison of weights in TOPSIS models provided an eye opener about the step-by-step procedure of ranking the alternatives by TOPSIS, when dissimilar criteria are used (Olson, 2004). Diyaley et al. compared the effectiveness of PSI and TOPSIS based selection of process parameters in WEDM. Both optimization methodologies were found to yield the same desired results (Diyaley et al., 2017). Their paper tried to help those researches that are going on in the fabrication, processing, evaluation and characterization of AMCs by providing an insight regarding the selection of a feasible and optimal solution (best combination of AMCs) from a given set of alternatives (different proportions of AMCs) through one of the Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) techniques called Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to the Ideal Solution (TOPSIS).