Optimizing stir casting parameters for aluminum metal matrix composite fabrication: a hybrid approach

Stir casting has emerged as a versatile and cost-effective method for fabricating metal matrix composites (MMCs). This study aimed to identify the optimal process parameter settings for stir casting to achieve enhanced mechanical properties of Al6061-fly ash cenosphere metal matrix composites. The study employs a hybrid Taguchi-GRA-CRITIC methodology to determine the optimal stir-casting process parameters for the fabrication of MMC to improve its mechanical properties. The influence of stir casting parameters like stirring speed, time, and fly ash content on the ultimate tensile strength (UTS), elongation, and hardness responses is examined. Finally, validation experiments are conducted using optimized parameters to evaluate improvements compared to initial settings. The findings indicated a 60.45% enhancement in GRG values, increasing from 0.5755 based on initial design parameters to 0.9235 with the optimal parameters.