Artificial Neural Network-Based Modelling for Yield Strength Prediction of Austenitic Stainless-Steel Welds

Abstract

This study aimed to develop an artificial neural network (ANN) model for predicting the yield strength of a weld metal composed of austenitic stainless steel and compare its performance with that of conventional multiple regression and machine learning models. The input parameters included the chemical composition of the nine effective elements (C, Si, Mn, P, S, Ni, Cr, Mo, and Cu) and the heat input per unit length. The ANN model (comprising five nodes in one hidden layer), which was constructed and trained using 60 data points, yielded an R2 value of 0.94 and a mean average percent error (MAPE) of 2.29%. During model verification, the ANN model exhibited superior prediction performance compared with the multiple regression and machine learning models, achieving an R2 value of 0.8644 and a MAPE of 3.06%. Consequently, the ANN model effectively predicted the variation in the yield strength and microstructure resulting from the thermal history and dilution during the welding of 3.5–9% Ni steels with stainless steel-based welding consumables. Furthermore, the application of the prediction model was demonstrated in the design of welding consumables and heat input for 9% Ni steel.