Optimization of welding parameters by using Taguchi method and study of fracture mode characterization of SS304H welded by GMA welding

Abstract

This study focuses on optimizing different welding parameters which affect the mechanical properties such as YS, UTS, Toughness, and Vicker hardness (VHN) of SS304H, Taguchi technique was employed to optimize the welding parameters, and fracture mode characterization was studied. A series of experiments have been carried out. L9 orthogonal array (3xx3) applied for it. Statistical methods of signal to a noise ratio (SNR) and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to determine the effects of different welding parameters such as wire feed speed, welding current and gas flow rate on Mechanical properties. Tensile strength, toughness, Vicker hardness (VHN), and mode of fracture were examined to investigate the weld quality of SS304H, and it was observed from the results that the welding voltage has significant effect whereas gas flow rate has insignificant effect on tensile strength of the weldment, and optimum process parameters were found to be 23 V, 350 IPM travel speed of wire and 20 l/min gas flow rate for tensile strength and mode of fracture was ductile fracture for tensile test specimen. © 2018 Jordan Journal of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering.