Analysis and selection of optimum material to improvise braking system in automobiles using integrated Fuzzy-COPRAS methodology

摘要

An important safety-oriented feature of an automobile is brake; malfunctioning of which can lead to severe consequences. In a typical braking system for an automobile, brake booster valve body is responsible for proper functioning of system and therefore the importance of its construction is coherent. The material for constructing this valve body should be selected considering conditions of operation, usually requiring high tensile strength and ability to maintain its strength at high temperature while at the same time the material should be light and cheap. All variegated aspects in terms of economic, strength and thermal properties of the material should be considered at the time of its selection. Taking into account the involvement of such multi-dimensional factors in the ultimate choice of material for construction of brake booster valve body, a hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methodology, the Fuzzy-Complex Proportional Assessment (COPRAS) method was taken up by the authors as a valid mechanism to tackle the problem. Usage of Fuzzy-based methodologies further adds up to the flexibility of the obtained inference. PA6-GF30 was concluded to be the most suitable material for construction of valve bodies. Similar such mechanisms can also be implemented in any study based on a criteria-based selection analogy.