Surface roughness model and parametric welding optimization in friction stir welded AA2017 using taguchi method and response surface methodology

Abstract

This paper focuses on the development of a mathematical model of arithmetic mean heights of surface (Sa) in friction stir welded AA2017 aluminium alloy using Taguchi L8 orthogonal design of experiments and response surface methodology. Machining variables such as rotation speed, traverse speed and tool shoulder diameter are considered in building the model. 3D surface topographies are used to characterize the surface roughness. The analysis of variance results showed that all the welding parameters are statistically significant at 95% confidence level. According to Main Factor Plots, an increase in the rotation speed decreases the surface roughness while any increase in the traverse speed or the tool diameter shoulder increases it.