Impact toughness of C-Mn steel arc welds - Bayesian neural network analysis

Charpy impact toughness data for manual metal are and submerged are weld metal samples have been analysed using a neural network technique within a Bayesian framework. In this framework, the roughness can be represented as a general empirical function of variables that are commonly acknowledged to be important in influencing the properties of steel welds. The method has limitations owing to its empirical character; but it is demonstrated in the present paper that it can be used in such a way that the predicted trends make metallurgical sense. The method has been used to examine the relative importance of the numerous variables thought to control the toughness of welds.