Taguchi Optimization of Geometrical Factors of a Polymer Composite Patch in Crack Repair

Abstract

For the repair of a crack in thin aluminium sheets, polymer composite patching is one of the better repair techniques. During service, when the load acts, the patch separates from the substrate due to the stresses developed at the interface. This separation of the patch from the substrate largely depends on the geometrical factors of the patch, i.e. length, width and thickness. The optimum geometrical factors need to be incorporated for the effective and economical repair of the cracks. In this work, the optimum combination of the geometrical factors, i.e. length, width and thickness of the polymer composite patch, is obtained using the Taguchi technique with the help of the results generated in the numerical analyses.