Abstract

Stir casting is a common metallurgical route in the casting of aluminum composites. Series of work done in this aspect considered the development of the composites with fixed stir casting parameters without applying an optimization approach. These parameters affect the microstructure and performance of the composites. The study is focused on the optimization of the stir casting parameters in the production of Al 7075 reinforced with TiO2 microparticles for performance improvement. Three stir casting parameters of stirring temperature, speed, and time were varied and optimized using the central composite design technique of the response surface method. Properties evaluated were ultimate tensile strength, hardness, impact strength, elastic modulus, and compressive strength. ANOVA results showed that the three stir casting parameters had a significant impact on the property responses. Five quadratic models were established for the properties linking them to the factors. The models were confirmed to be statistically significant at a confidence level of 95% and variations were observed to be < 5%. The interaction profile of the parameters as per response surface was analyzed. Contour plots associated with each interaction gave different ranges of stirring parameters in which each property can be maximized. Simultaneous optimization of the properties using Minitab 19 software showcased 779.3 °C, 574.2 rpm, and 22.5 min as the optimal stir casting parameters for temperature, speed and time respectively.

Details

Title
Optimization studies of stir casting parameters and mechanical properties of TiO2 reinforced Al 7075 composite using response surface methodology
Author
Adediran, Adeolu A 1 ; Akinwande, Abayomi A 2 ; Balogun, Oluwatosin A 2 ; Olorunfemi, Bayode J 3 ; M Saravana Kumar 4 

 Landmark University, Materials Design and Structural Integrity Group, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Omu-Aran, Nigeria (GRID:grid.448923.0) (ISNI:0000 0004 1767 6410) 
 Federal University of Technology, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Akure, Nigeria (GRID:grid.411257.4) (ISNI:0000 0000 9518 4324) 
 Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria (GRID:grid.448729.4) (ISNI:0000 0004 6023 8256) 
 National Institute of Technology, Department of Production Engineering, Tiruchirappalli, India (GRID:grid.419653.c) (ISNI:0000 0004 0635 4862) 
Publication year
2021
Publication date
2021
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
e-ISSN
20452322
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2579464277
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2021. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.