Parameter Optimization Of Submerged Arc Welding Process On Sa 516 Grade 70 Steel Plates

Abstract

ABSTRACT newlineSubmerged Arc Welding is often the method of choice in pressure vessel fabrication. This process features high production rates, welding energy and/or welding speed and requires minimal operator skill. The selection of appropriate parameters in SAW is essential, not only to optimize the welding process in order to maintain the highest level of productivity, but also to obtain the most desirable mechanical properties of the weld. Traditionally the desired parameters were chosen based on charts or handbooks which are suboptimal and are not universal. The other method of representing the interplay of these parameters is by developing empirical relations in which the parameters have some constant exponents whose value is chosen/ estimated on the basis of the experience. This choice of exponents introduces a lot of subjectively and is fixed. The problem of arriving at the optimum levels of the operating parameters has attracted the attention of the researchers and practicing engineers for a very long time. The literature survey has revealed that a little research has been conducted to obtain the optimal levels of welding parameters that yield the best welding quality in welding of boiler steels like SA 516 Grade 70. newlineExperiments were designed and conducted by following the principles of Taguchiand#8223;s design of experiments. Data is acquired by conducting experiments. The performance of the process parameters were identified using signal to noise ratio evaluation and by Analysis of Variance. Regression equations were developed by multiple regression analysis. Taguchi technique combined with grey relational analysis and fuzzy logic methods have been used for multi- response optimization. Also, desirability functions have been used for simultaneous optimization of performance measures. Eventually the optimal weld parameter weld specimens were evaluated by mechanical and metallurgical process.Finally, a summary of the research and contributions of the research study are highlighted. The possible extensions for future r