Abstract
In this study, a fuzzy artificial intelligence approach is utilized to predict the erosion rate of reinforced ebonite composite materials with carbon fiber owing to the significant accuracy of soft computing techniques. Experimental data were used to predict the erosion rate with respect to the input testing conditions, namely, impact velocity, impingement angle, erodent size, and stand-off distance. The size of the erosive element of randomly shaped sand particles (silicon dioxide) is set between 300 and 600 μm. Other input process parameters, such as the impact velocity between 30 and 50 m/s, the impingement angle between 30° and 90°, and the stand-off distance between 15 and 25 mm, are selected. The consistency between the experimental and fuzzy logic model values, with a 94.45 % accuracy, signifies that the proposed fuzzy logic model is suitable for predicting the erosion rate of reinforced ebonite composite materials. The maximum erosion rate is obtained between a 50° and 60° impingement angle. Morphological images are analyzed by scanning electron microscopy to elucidate the erosion mechanisms.