Parametric optimization in drilling of sisal–glass reinforced epoxy composites using Taguchi grey relational analysis method

Abstract

This research work intends to study the effect of hybridization of glass and sisal fiber, stacking sequence and tensile properties of the composite. The sisal-glass fiber hybrid composites laminates are prepared using reinforced plain woven sisal fabric (unidirectional) and plainwoven glass fabric. In this research study, 27 experiments are conducted as per L27 orthogonal array. Five process parameters are selected and three responses are considered in this work. The drilling of the composite specimen is considered and the drilling process parameters such as speed, feed rate, drill diameter, material thickness, and drill point angle are selected. The responses considered in this work are delamination factor, thrust force, and torque. Taguchi analysis is performed and the response table for means for the responses is determined, and the most influencing parameter in the drilling of the composite specimen is analyzed. The grey relational coefficients are computed and followed with the computation of the grey relational grade. The grey relational grades are calculated for determining the highest contributing parameter in the drilling of the sisal fiber and glass fiber reinforced hybrid composite specimen. The optimum drilling process parameters are ranked and the ranks presented represent the sequence of run resulting in optimum solutions.