Optimizing the weld bead characteristics of super austenitic stainless steel (904L) through grey-based Taguchi method

摘要

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to optimize the gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process inputrnparameters simultaneously considering the multiple output variables (bead width (BW), bead heightrn(BH) and depth of penetration (DP)).rnDesign/methodology/approach - Grey-based Taguchi approach was used for designing thernexperiment, L27 orthogonal array was used which composed of three levels and 27 rows, which meansrnthat 27 experiments were carried out. Design of experiments was selected based on a four weldingrnparameters with three levels each. The selected welding parameters for this paper are gas flow rate,rnvoltage, travel speed and wire feed rate. The bead-on-plate welding trials are carried out on AISI 904Lrnsuper austenitic stainless steel (SASS) sheets and evaluate the shape of the fusion zone depends upon arnnumber of input parameters.rnFindings - Bead-on-plate welding of 904L SASS sheet is successfully performed (without any cracksrnand discontinuity) by GMAW process and the bead profiles are measured. The predicted bead profilesrnhave the better DP and lower BH and BW. It is found that the optimized setting values are improvingrnthe response values by 10 per cent.rnOriginality/value - The optimal welding conditions are identified in order to increase thernproductivity and minimize the total operating cost. The process input parameters effect is determinedrnunder the optimal welding combinations.