Optimization of Pulsed Current MIG Welding Parameters for Ultimate Tensile Strength and Hardness of ASTM A106 Pipes using Taguchi Technique

Abstract

Parametric optimization of Pulsed Current Metal Inert Gas Welding(PCMIGW) for Ultimate Tensile Strength and Hardness has been performed by using Taguchi method. Welding Current, Gas Flow Rate and Wire Feed Rate were chosen as welding parameters. The material used for this purpose was ASTM A106 pipes having dimensions with outer diameter 25 mm length 300 mm having wall thickness of 3 mm. Argon (85%) and Co2 (15%) was used as a shielding gas. Mild steel filler wire with copper coated of diameter 1.2 mm was used. An orthogonal array, L27 was used to conduct the experiments. Signal to Noise (S/N) ratio and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were employed to study the welding characteristics of material. Optimization of parameters was done by Taguchi method using statistical software MINITAB-16. Confirmation tests were carried out with optimal levels of welding parameters to validate the Taguchi's optimization method.