Multi-Objective Optimization of Process Parameters in Milling of 17-4 PH Stainless Steel using Taguchi-based Gray Relational Analysis

Abstract

The present study investigates the effects of cutting parameters and the variation of nose radius on cutting force, surface roughness, cutting temperature, and tool wear in the milling 17-4 PH stainless steel. The milling experiments were carried out using the Taguchi L18 experimental design with two different types of cutting nose radius (0.4 and 0.8), three different cutting speeds (70, 140 and 210 m/min), three different feed rates (0.06, 0.09 and 0.12 mm/tooth), and a constant cutting depth (1 mm). The outcomes of this study show that the cutting force, cutting temperature, and tool wear values are average 2.35, 28.89 and 1.18% lower when 17-4 PH stainless steel is machined with a 0.4 mm cutting nose radius compared to those in a 0.8 mm cutting nose radius. The surface quality is also improved by average 47.48% with an increase in the cutting tool nose radius. According to the multi response optimization results, the optimal levels of milling parameters for multiple output parameters are determined as 0.8 mm cutting nose radius, 70 m/min cutting speed and 0.06 mm/tooth, respectively.