Optimal Process Parameters to Achieve Maximum Tensile Load Bearing Capacity of Laser Weld Thin Galvanized Steel Sheets

Abstract

Steels are protected against corrosion through hot-dip galvanization in which material surfaces are coated with molten zinc. Galvanized steel products are reliable in coating life and performance with lower maintenance and repair cost. Welding of such zinc coated steel sheets is of great economic importance in the automotive industries. Many researchers have utilized the S/N ratio transformation while obtaining the optimal solution of several manufacturing processes. However, the additive law in Taguchi technique estimates the deterministic output response from the mean values of the ANOVA table and unable to provide the expected range of the output response. This paper deals with optimal process parameters for achieving maximum tensile load bearing capacity of laser weld thin galvanized steel sheets utilizing the concepts of a modified Taguchi design of experiments. Excepted range of the tensile load bearing capacity is provided for the specified laser process parameters. Empirical relation is developed and validated for the tensile load bearing capacity in terms of the laser process parameters viz., laser power, welding speed and focal point position.