Optimization of the Indirect Extrusion Process of Copper-Clad Aluminum Rods by Methods of Statistical Experimental Designs and Numerical Analyses

Abstract

The success of composite extrusion is influenced by multiple process parameters. In order to investigate the significance of specific parameters during indirect extrusion of copper-clad aluminum (CCA) rods, statistical methods were applied and a central composite experimental design was implemented. The runs of the experimental design were modeled with the finite element method based software DEFORM 2D and evaluated with respect to product quality, described by four response variables. Using variance and regression analyses, as well significant linear and quadratic effects of the five investigated process parameters as interactions between them were identified. Based on a statistical model, an overall optimum setting for the process parameters was predicted utilizing the response surface methodology with a desirability approach. By applying the output of the statistical analysis to an extrusion trial, the extrusion of a high quality CCA rod was achieved. Moreover, the results of the statistical analysis could be verified by comparing predicted and experimentally determined values of the investigated quality characteristics.