Influence of Drilling Operation Variables on Surface Roughness and Thrust Force of Aluminium Reinforced with 10% Al₂O₃ Functionally Graded Metal Matrix Composite

The intention of this effort is to manufacture SiC particles reinforced aluminium functionally graded metal matrix composite (Al-FGMMC) and optimize the drilling operation parameters using TOPSIS technique. The A356-10% Al₂O_3p reinforced functionally graded composite was constructed by stir casting approach continued by the horizontal centrifugal fabricating approach. The microstructural evaluation showed the existence of maximum reinforcement concentration on the exterior edge. The main effect of operation variables such as speed, feed, point angle and zone distance from the exterior edge on the surface roughness and thrust force were studied. Technique for Order Preference by Similarity Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) methodology was applied to identify the optimum operation parameters to achieve minimum surface roughness and thrust force. The optimized operation parameters achieved as 2000 rpm of speed, 0.15 mm/rev of feed, 140° of point angle and 15 mm of zone distance from outer edge. The found optimal operation parameter was validated through authorization evaluation and considerable development was observed in operational characteristics.