Kevlar Fiber-Reinforced Aluminum Laminates (KRALL): Optimizing abrasive water jet machining parameters

This experimental study focused on optimizing the machinability properties of Kevlar fiber–reinforced aluminum laminates (KRALL). For this, the gray relational approach and Taguchi approach were used to optimize the abrasive water jet machining (AWJM) factors with multi-response characteristics. Kevlar fiber and aluminum-based fiber metal laminates are known as KRALL. AWJM was used to machine the KRALL. The Taguchi L9 orthogonal array was used to establish the levels and factors. Water jet pressure, stand-off distance (SOD), and nozzle feed rate were considered as process factors in the Taguchi technique. The experimental results were analyzed by using the Taguchi method and gray relational approach. The gray relational approach and analysis of variance were used to analyze the most influential factors, such as roughness and kerf angle. The performance factors of roughness and kerf angle were found to be significantly influenced by SOD. According to the detailed experimental findings, the Taguchi approach and gray relational approach successfully optimized the machining factors of roughness and minimum kerf angle in the AWJM of KRALL.