Optimization of TIG Welding Input Variables for AISI 1020 Low Carbon Steel Plate Using Response Surface Methodology

Authors : Aniekan Ikpe, Ikechukwu Owunna

Pages : 113-122

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Publication Date : 2018-09-27

Article Type : Research

Abstract :Based on the Design of experiment (DOE), an experimental design matrix having thirteen (13) center points, six (6) axial points and eight (8) factorial points resulting in twenty (20) experimental runs was generated which included temperature ranging from 96.13 - 213.86 A, voltage ranging from 16.95-27.04 V and gas flow rate ranging from 11.29-19.70 L/min. The aforementioned twenty runs were used as input parameters for TIG welding experimental procedure as well as prediction and optimization using Response Surface Methodology (RSM), with the output responses being temperature distribution, Induced Stress Distribution and bead penetration depth.   The optimization result revealed that an input current of 120 A, voltage of 23.95 V and gas flow rate of 15.63 L/min will produce a weld material with temperature of 326.53 0 C, ISD of 231.746 N/m 2 and bead penetration depth of 6.47911 mm. To validate the results, regression plot between the experimental values and RSM predicted values showed proximity in the coefficient of determination (R 2 ) for the output responses, indicating that RSM can be used as alternative tool to the prediction and optimization of weld parameters.
Keywords : Optimization, Weld parameters, Experimentation, Weld quality