Parametric Model for Prediction of Mechanical Properties of Motorcycle Brake Levers Produced by Gravity Die Casting

Abstract

Several attempts have been made in foundry industries to enhance the mechanical properties of cast components. A new study was conducted to develop a parametric model for the mechanical properties of motorcycle brake levers produced through gravity die casting. The experimental work was carried out at the Foundry Workshop, Federal Polytechnic Kaura Namoda, Zamfara, Nigeria, using a permanent metallic mold to measure the mechanical properties of the motorcycle brake levers. This study employed a central composite, rotatable design matrix with four factors (pre-die temperatures, pouring temperatures, solidification time, and filling time) and five levels to optimize the number of experiments. The model's adequacy was tested through analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the results of the experiments agreed with the parametric model, with the maximum error of prediction for compressive strength and hardness being ±3.73% and ±3.80%, respectively. The model suggests that one must consider parameter interactions to predict the compressive strength and hardness of gravity die-casting components accurately. Hence, the optimal combination of testing parameters can be determined and predicted.