Process parameter selection for optimising weld bead geometry in stainless steel cladding using Taguchi's approach

Abstract

In the present study, the Taguchi method, a tool to design optimisation for quality, is used to find the optimal welding process parameters for cladding of austenitic stainless steel. An orthogonal array, the signal to noise (S/N) ratio, and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) are employed to investigate the effect of process parameters on weld bead characteristics. The present study was conducted by depositing AISI 317L onto an IS : 2062 structural steel substrate by the flux cored arc welding (FCAW) process under the shield of 95%Ar and 5%CO 2 gas mixture. The weld bead parameters are optimised individually (single objective) as well as collectively (multiobjective) to get the desired quality characteristics. The results show that these techniques can be used effectively to control the process parameters in cladding with certain limitations.