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Stir casting is a promising technique used for the manufacture of Al-SiC metal matrix composites. The clustering of reinforcement particles is a serious concern in this production method. In this work, mushy-state solidification characteristics in stir casting are numerically simulated using computational fluid dynamics techniques to study the clustering of reinforcement particles.

Effects of process parameters on the distribution of particles are examined by varying stirrer speed, volume fraction of reinforcement, number of blades on stirrer and diameter ratio (ratio of crucible diameter to stirrer diameter). Further, investigation of characteristics of cooling curves during solidification process is carried out. Volume of fluid method in conjunction with a solidification model is used to simulate the multi-phase fluid flow during the mushy-state solidification. Solidification patterns thus obtained clearly indicate a strong influence of process parameters on the distribution of reinforcement particles and solidification time.

From the simulation study, it is observed that increase in stirrer speed from 50 to 150 rad/s promotes faster solidification rate. But, beyond 100 rad/s, stirrer speed limit, clustering of reinforcement particles is observed. The clustering of reinforcement particles is seen when volume fraction of reinforcement is increased beyond 10 per cent. When number of blades on stirrer are increased from three to five, an increase in solidification rate is observed, and an uneven distribution of reinforcement particles are observed for five-blade geometry. It is also seen from the simulation study that a four-blade stirrer gives a better distribution of reinforcement in the molten metal. Decrease in diameter ratio from 2.5 to 1.5 promotes faster solidification rate.

There is 90 per cent closeness in results for simulation study and the published experimental results.

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the influence of temperature, load and sliding speed on wear and friction behavior of LM25/SiC composites in as-cast and heat-treated conditions.

The LM25/SiC aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) were prepared using the stir casting process. The wear tests were carried out using a pin-on-disc setup in dry condition. The three levels of each parameter, i.e. 100, 150 and 200°C operating temperature; 15, 25 and 35 N load; 0.8, 1.6 and 2.4 m/sec sliding speed, were considered for the investigation. ANOVA has been carried out to evaluate the percentage contribution of parameters. Scanning electron microscope analysis of worn surfaces has been carried out to understand the wear mechanism.

The wear and coefficient of friction (COF) increase with the increase in the temperature, load and sliding speed within a selected range for as-cast as well as heat-treated LM25/SiC AMCs. The mean values of wear and COF in heat-treated samples were found to be lower than as-cast samples for all cases. It was observed that the percentage wear increases significantly as temperature increases in as-cast AMCS. Mild to severe wear transition was observed at 150°C. In heat-treated AMCs, mild wear was observed irrespective of temperature. It was also observed that as the temperature increases, transition of wear mechanism from abrasive to adhesive (including delamination) occurs earlier in as-cast samples as compared to heat-treated samples.

There is a lack of data on combined effect of temperature, load and sliding speed on tribological aspects of as-cast and heat-treated LM25/SiC AMCs, limiting its applications. The present research work has addressed this gap.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of total quality management (TQM) and supply chain management (SCM) practices on operational performance, and their interlinkage between each other.

Constructs those are critical to pharmaceutical quality and supply chain have been identified with the help of literature and experts from industry. The impact of TQM practices on supply chain practices and on operational performance has been evaluated. Similarly, the impact of supply chain practices on operational performance has been evaluated. Further, alternate models are tested and evaluated through structural equation modeling.

It was observed during testing of alternate models that TQM practices have a direct impact on operational performance. However, TQM practices also directly impact supply chain components, which, in turn, influence overall operational performance. In comparison of alternate models, the model in which TQM practices affect supply chain practices and supply chain practices further affect the operational performance is found most appropriate.

This study provides some useful implications from industry point of view. TQM practices are critical to pharmaceutical industry. TQM practices are the core of attaining a smooth supply chain, which will have greater impact to achieve operational performance. Strategic supplier partnership, procurement management, information sharing, and quality and inventory management practices are driven by TQM practices. This tri-linkage helps to achieve the desired operational performance.

There are very limited studies that have considered both the areas together to achieve better operational performance. In pharmaceutical industry, both TQM and SCM are the critical areas for any organization to drive its growth.

The purpose of this paper is to identify the importance of integration of supply chain management practices with total quality management (TQM) practices to augment business performance. The objective of paper is to focus on the two important dimensions, namely, supply chain and TQM of an organization with special reference to the concepts: exploration and exploitation.

In total, 20 variables have been identified (independent variables) which impact business performance (dependent variable). Variables have been extracted into four categories with a combination of two orientations, i.e., exploitation and exploration, with respect to quality management and supply chain practices.

Configurationally four different combinations concerning supply chain and TQM were identified in which an enterprise can operate. This is supported with the four different case studies.

This study leads to some interesting practical implications for practicing managers as it offers a framework in which the supply chain and TQM practices can be implemented with respect to an organizational structure (mechanistic or organic structure), environmental conditions (uncertain environment and rapidly changing product life cycle) and identification of customer orientations (whether customer is price sensitive or customer makes buying decision on account of trust or relation to the product).

The concept of supply chain exploitation and supply chain exploration with different orientations of quality management is not studied comprehensively before. This paper provides a background for establishing a framework of strategies for supply chain and quality practices, with respect to the exploitation and exploration scenario.

The purpose of this paper is to understand the influence of young adults’ socialization and product involvement on family housing and real estate purchase decision-making process. While previous studies have used these constructs in the fast-moving commercial goods category, this paper is considering the real estate family purchase decision as the core point of research and analysis.

Data were collected from 429 young working adults across various sectors in India. The proposed conceptual framework is tested using structural equation modeling.

The findings suggest that the teenagers with high social life have a better say in the decision-making process. It was also found that the young adults’ product involvement (measured in terms of gratification and symbol) construct shows how involved they are with the final decision-making in a family. The results suggested that the more young adult socializes, the more voice he has in the family housing and real estate decision-making process.

This paper is the first to analyze the role of teenage socialization and product involvement on family housing and real estate purchase decision-making process. This paper will be practicable to all the stakeholders of the housing industry as a whole.