Informatics Publishing Limited

S. Manickam ¹, G. Victor Rajamanickam ², R. E. Benjamin ³

Affiliations
1 A.P.S.A. College, Tiruppattur - 630 211, IN
2 Department of Industries and Earth Sciences, Tamil University, Thanjavur - 613 005, IN
3 School of Economics, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai - 625 021, IN

Abstract

A comprehensive analysis of the economic viability of manganese nodule mining in India through the adoption of the standard capital budgeting techniques is attempted. The study includes both 3-metal plant (Copper, Nickel and Cobalt) and 4-metal plant (Copper, Nickel Cobalt and Manganese). Most of the studies carried out in the developed countries in the past conclude that this new ocean mining venture is not eccnomicaily viable. Hence, in this study, an attempt is made to find out any change that leads to significant improvement in the viability of the project by comparing the economic status of the industry between two periods, June 1987 and July 1990. The results of the research show that the Internal Rate of Return (lRR) of the 3-metal plant is 8.1% in June 1987 prices and the IRR for the 4-metal plant is 15.2%. But the IRR of 3-metal plant is 45.3% in July 1990 prices and 40.4% for the 4-metal plant. The results clearly point out that the project becomes viable in 1990 prices. This vast improvement in the economic status of this industry can largely be attributed to the enormous hike in the annual revenue of the project. Thus, the deep ocean holds out a beacon of hope to the world in general and India in particular for future supply of nodule metals.

Keywords

Mineral Economics, Mn-Nodules, Central Indian Ocean.

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S. Manickam ¹, C. Rajendran ¹, V. Balasubramanian ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Manufacturing Engineering, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar-608002, Tamilnadu, IN

Abstract

The present investigation aims at developing an empirical relationship to predict the tensile shear strength of friction stir spot welded (FSSW) dissimiiar joints of (AA6061 aluminum alloy with carbon steel) incorporating parameters such as tool rotational speed, plunge rate, dwell time and tool diameter ratio. Experiments were conducted according to a four factor, five level central composite rotatable design of experiments concept. Strength of the joint was evaluated by a single lap shear test. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique was used to check the adequacy of the developed relationship. The developed empirical relationship can be effectively used to predict tensile shear strength of the joints at 95% confidence level.

Keywords

Friction Stir Spot Welding, Response Surface Methodology, Aluminum Alloy, Mild Steel, Tensile Shear Fracture Load.

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S. Manickam ¹, C. Rajendran ¹, V. Balasubramanian ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Manufacturing Engineering, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Tamilnadu, IN

Abstract

Friction Stir Spot Welding (FSSW) is a variant of Friction Stir Welding (FSW) process, in which a non-consumable rotating tool is plunged into a material under high forging force to create a bond. It is employed to join dissimilar materials like aluminum and magnesium as it is a solid state welding processes, and helps to avoid defects found in fusion welding processes. In this investigation, an attempt is made to join Aluminum Alloy (AA6061) with Magnesium Alloy (AZ31B) by FSSW process. An empirical relationship was developed to predict the Tensile Shear Fracture Load (TSFL) incorporating the four most important FSSW parameters, i.e., tool rotational speed, plunge rate, dwell time and tool diameter ratio, using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The maximum TSFL obtained was 3.61 kN, with the tool rotation speed of 1000 rpm, plunge rate of 16 mm/ min, dwell time of 5 sec and tool diameter ratio of 2.5.

Keywords

Frictions Stir Spot Welding, Magnesium Alloy, Aluminum Alloy, Dissimilar Joint, Response Surface Methodology, Tensile Shear Fracture Load.

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