Optimisation Of Stir Cast Process Parameter Of Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Aluminium Alloy Metal Matrix Composite Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM)

Abstract

The paper presents the results of experimental investigations on tensile strength and optimization of stir casting process parameters of carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced aluminium 2024 metal matrix composite using Response surface methodology (RSM). The effect of casting parameters such as percentage of reinforcement fraction, stirring time, stirring speed and casting temperature of Al 2024 metal matrix composite manufactured through stir cast route method was studied. An empirical model was developed for predicting the tensile strength of CNT reinforced aluminium 2024 metal matrix composite. Adequacy of the developed model was tested using ANOVA and found to have excellent predictive capacity as indicated by the values of R² of 0.8904. The optimum process conditions were established to be 1.93-% reinforcement fraction, 433.5 rpm stirring speed, 690 °C processing temperature and 150sec stirring time. At this condition, an optimal increase of 76% in tensile strength of the composite was observed using desirability function approach.