Optimization of Process Parameters for Preparation of Lanthanum Hexa-Aluminate Powders Using Combinatorial Approach of Taguchi-GRA and ACO Methods

This work focuses on selection of optimal process parameters for the preparation of Lanthanum Hexa-aluminate (LHA) nanoparticles using chemical precipitation and filtration process.Multi response optimization is performed using Taguchi-GRA combinatorial approach using the process parameters such as Temperature (A), Time (B) and Composition (C).The results showed that % composition has the largest effect on hardness, while the Calcination Temperature is the most important factor in ultimate compression strength.In GRA analysis, the combined effect of hardness and ultimate compression strength is considered and the optimum combination is identified (A1B2C2).The percentage of the contribution was most important factor affecting hardness performance (36.58%).Based on the GRA results a regression equation is generated and optimized using ACO technique followed by preparation and characterization of powders.For the powders, prepared FESEM/EDS analysis were done and observed that average grain size of the particle is 85nm.