Sensitivity Analysis for Relative Importance of Different Weld Quality Indicators influencing Optimal Process Condition of Submerged Arc Welding using Grey Based Taguchi Method

A multi-objective optimization problem has been solved in order to search an optimal process environment consisting of optimal parametric combination to achieve desired quality indicators related to bead geometry of submerged arc weld of mild steel. The selected quality indicators were bead height, penetration depth, bead width and percentage dilution. Among aforesaid four quality indicators; penetration depth and percentage dilution are assumed to be the most important compared to the other quality features. However, penetration depth and percentage dilution may or may not be of equal importance; but they are expected to be highly correlated. Different requirements for different quality indicators highly depend on the area of application and the functional requirements of the welded joint. For example, in case of welding, wider bead (bead width) is not advisable to avoid excess weld metal consumption; whereas, in case of weld cladding, large bead width is generally recommended. In the present communication, the relative importance of different quality indicators of bead geometry has been estimated and their influence on the process environment resulting the optimal bead geometry has been investigated. Taguchi method followed by grey relational analysis has been adapted to evaluate the optimal process condition achieving multiple requirements of the desired weld quality. Sensitivity analysis has been carried out to check the casesensitiveness of relative importance (priority weights) of different bead geometry parameters imposing predominant effect on the optimal parametric combination.

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