Micromachining on Al-Sic Based Metal Matrix Composite Using DPSS Laser

Aluminum silicon carbide is a metal matrix composite largely used where strength to weight ratio and high thermal conductivity is primary in design criteria. It has wide application in Aerospace components, Automobiles & electronics industries. Present work deals in micro-grooving of this hard to machine material is carried out by diode pumped solid state pulsed Nd:YAG Laser. The experimental plan is carried out by CCD (central composite design) based on RSM (response surface methodology). Also the analysis of variance test is carried out to check the adequacy of the fitted regression mathematical models. Proper ranges of process parameters such as pulse width, pulse frequency, amount of current, assist air pressure were purposed. Screening test shows 0.2 as assist gas when used 0.2 to 1 kgf/cm(2) pressure range gives best result because of its advantage during laser material interaction. The responses are taken as upper width deviation, lower width & depth deviation of micro-groove produced on Al-SiC material. The interaction effects of different parameters on responses are analyzed through surface plots generated. Optimal process parametric conditions are found out by utilizing meta-heuristic based search algorithm MOPSO (multi objective particle swamp optimization) technique. 0 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.