Paper Title:Application of Signal-To-Noise Ratio Analysis for Optimizing Process Parameters for Surface Roughness Reduction in Electrochemical Polishing Process

Abstract

This paper reports on the optimization of electropolishing process and its effect on process parameters by applying Taguchi methods for determination of best possible condition for electropolishing of stainless steel. The specimen used in the experiment is SS304. The chemical composition of electrolyte consists of Orthophosphoric acids (H3PO4), Sulphuric acid H2SO4 and distilled water. The three different parameters were chosen they are current density, time and temperature. Taguchi orthogonal array is designed with three levels of polishing parameters. Different experiments were performed and number of readings was taken according to Taguchi orthogonal array. To determine the value of surface roughness reduction stylus type portable surface roughness tester of Mitutoyo made model SJ – 201 has been used. The surface roughness reduction was considered as quality characteristic with the concept of “larger- the- better” using signal to noise (S/N) ratio. With the advancement in technology and due to development in new materials we need suitable and economical methods to process them. It is also predicted that the Taguchi method is good method for the optimization of various process parameters in electropolishing. The results obtained were validated by conducting confirmation experiments.


Keywords:Electrochemical polishing (ECP), surface roughness reduction, Taguchi method, and 304 stainless steel.