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This study employs Taguchi orthogonal design (L9) to optimize the machining parameters of electro-discharge machining (EDM). The aluminum matrix composite (AMC) with 16 wt.% titanium carbide (TiC) and 4 wt.% graphite (Gr) specimen was prepared by stir casting process. This study involves three control parameters with three levels, namely pulse current, voltage and fluid pressure to predict the process response, such as material removal rate (MRR) and surface roughness (SR) of the worn surface. Maximum MRR of 0.1661 g/min was attained for 10 A, 500 V and 15 kgf/cm2 fluid pressure with corresponding roughness of 11.43 μ m and the minimum value of 7.51 μ m was observed for 10 A, 100 V and fluid pressure of 5 kgf/cm2. A regression model was developed and the effect of control parameters on process responses were determined by analysis of variance (ANOVA). According to ANOVA outcome, the machining parameters which control the process response MRR were determined as voltage (47.94%), pulse current (33.19%) and fluid pressure (17.58%). Similarly, the SR was affected by machining parameters voltage (55.17%), pulse current (22.41%) and flushing pressure (21.47%). The optimum machining parameters were predicted and confirmed by conducting experiments with reasonable error of 2.49% and 2.02% for MRR and SR, respectively. Surface characteristics of the machined AMC was analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) to observe the defects like craters, voids, glued debris and recast layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the influence of fiber content and alkali treatment on the mechanical and thermal properties ofAcacia leucophloeafiber-reinforced epoxy composites was studied. Ten composite samples were fabricated by varying fiber content (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 wt%); both untreated and treated fiber were soaked in a 5% NaOH solution for 45 min by using hand-layup method. The composite reinforced with 20 wt% treated fiber content exhibited better mechanical properties and thermal properties. Fourier transform infrared analysis, morphological analysis by atomic force microscope, and scanning electron microscope of composites were also performed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]