Parametric optimization of abrasive water jet machining of beryllium copper using Taguchi grey relational analysis

Abstract

Abrasive water jet machining is a non-conventional machining process to machine complicated intricate shapes, abrasive water jet machine is most suited as it can cut both conducting and nonconductive material with better finish. Beryllium copper grade C25 is used as a material for machining considering its applications in petroleum nozzle washer used in petroleum products and also in marine, aerospace industries. In this work, the predominant process parameters like pressure, abrasive flow, and standoff distance are varied to obtain optimum values of response parameters like (MRR) material removal rate and surface roughness. Since the multi-response optimisation cannot be performed by conventional Taguchi method, Grey-Taguchi methodology is used. Abrasive flow rate and standoff distance are the most influenced process parameters to obtain higher MRR and also for better surface-roughness. After obtaining the optimised values for machining parameters using Grey-Taguchi Methodology. A confirmatory test is performed to test the integrity of the obtained results.