Optimization of TIG Welding Parameters for the 202 Stainless Steel Using NSGA-II

Tungsten Inert Gas welding is a fusion welding process having very wide industrial applicability. In the present study, an attempt has been made to optimize the input process variables (electrode diameter, shielding gas, gas flow rate, welding current, and groove angle) that affect the output responses, i.e., hardness and tensile strength at weld center of the weld metal SS202. The hardness is measured using Vicker hardness method; however, tensile strength is evaluated by performing tensile test on welded specimens. Taguchi based design of experiments was used for experimental planning, and the results were studied using analysis of variance. The results show that, for tensile strength of the welded specimens, welding current and electrode diameter are the two most significant factors with P values of 0.002 and 0.030 for mean analysis, whereas higher tensile strength was observed when the electrode diameter used was 1.5 mm, shielding gas used was helium, gas flow rate was 15 L/min, welding current was 240A, and a groove angle of 60 degrees was used. Welding current was found to be the most significant factor with a P value of 0.009 leading to a change in hardness at weld region. The hardness at weld region tends to decrease significantly with the increase in welding current from 160-240A. The different shielding gases and groove angle do not show any significant effect on tensile strength and hardness at weld center. These response variables were evaluated at 95% confidence interval, and the confirmation test was performed on suggested optimal process variable. The obtained results were compared with estimated mean value, which were lying within +/- 5%.