Optimizing consolidation behavior of Al 7068-TiC nanocomposites using Taguchi statistical analysis

The fabrication of high strength Al 7068-5%TiC (mass fraction) nanocomposite was studied by mechanical alloying and hot pressing routes. Considering densification importance and grain growth effects, hot pressing process conditions for producing bulk nanocomposite were optimized using statistical Taguchi method based on compressive strength achievement. The Taguchi results indicate that 30 min hot pressing under pressure of 500 MPa at 385 °C provides high compressive strength and hardness of 938 MPa and HV 265, respectively. More interestingly, analysis of variance proves that the applied pressure is the most influential factor for hot pressing of the nanocomposite. The contribution percentages of factors in hot pressing terms are as follows: applied pressure (61.3%), exposed temperature (29.53%) and dwelling hot pressing time (4.49%).