Optimization of size and form characteristics using multi-objective grey analysis in abrasive water jet drilling of Inconel 617

Abstract

Inconel 617, a group D category of Superalloys, is the prime material for ultra-supercritical power plant components. Nontraditional machining methods are explored for machining Inconel 617 as the traditional processes are limited. Abrasive water jet machining is very promising in processing hard-to-machine materials and machining of superalloys using abrasive water jet machining needs attention. This paper focuses on establishing hole characteristics in abrasive water jet drilling using multi-objective grey analysis. The form and orientation characteristics of the hole are defined using entry and exit hole overcut, entry and exit hole circularity, taper angle of hole and depth averaged radial overcut apart from drill rate and surface roughness. The process parameters are water jet pressure, standoff distance, and abrasive mass flow rate. Analysis of variance of the individual responses is used to identify the pattern in which each parameter affects the performance of the process. Interaction effects of the various factors have been elaborated using plots. Analysis of means was conducted to obtain the mean effects plot. The results from analysis of variance and analysis of means were compared and good correlation was obtained. The parameter levels for obtaining optimal individual responses were identified and reported. Grey relational analysis combines the attributes of each of the responses into a single grey grade. The grey grade represents the overall hole characteristic of the drilled hole. Analysis of means of the grey grade gives the optimal parameter setting. The adjudged optimal parameters are tested experimentally and reported.

Application of grey correlation-based EDAS method for parametric optimization of non-traditional machining processes

“…water jet pressure = 350 MPa, stand-off distance = 1.5 mm and abrasive mass flow rate = 0.24 kg/min. This optimal parametric combination derived using the GC-EDAS approach is exactly the same as that of Nair and Kumanan [41]. Thus, for the said AWJD operation, both the optimization approaches result in the same parametric mix leading to the enhancement of the machining performance.…”

“…Taking water jet pressure, stand-off distance and abrasive mass flow rate as the input process parameters, Nair and Kumanan [41] performed AWJD operation on Inconel 617 superalloy material.…”

“…The experimental design plan along with the responses for all the nine experiments is provided in Table 16. Employing multi-objective GRA technique, Nair and Kumanan [41] derived the most preferred parametric combination of the AWJD process as A 3 B 1 C 1 (water jet pressure = 350 MPa, stand-off distance = 3 mm and abrasive mass flow rate = 0.24 kg/min). This parametric optimization problem is now solved using the proposed GC-EDAS approach.…”

Bionic optimum design of straight cone nozzle and the effectiveness evaluation of reducing fluid resistance

“…High-pressure water jet technology (H-PWJT) is a clean and effective approach to clean and cut minerals and/or break mine ores. H-PWJT has been widely utilized resulting in remarkable social and economic benefits in several engineering and technical disciplines and may be combined with other technologies to develop new ones [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. For example, the hydraulic coal mining and static pressure grouting technologies are combined to develop the highpressure jet grouting technology, which can be widely used in engineering fields such as rock and soil reinforcement and anti-seepage [13].…”

“…Nozzle is a fundamental component in the implementation of H-PWJT. The exploration of nozzle with good hydraulic performance is a key precondition for the smooth and efficient implementation of H-PWJT and other related technologies as the ones mentioned above [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. This study proposes a combination of EB and nozzle's structural design.…”