Optimization of Welding Process Parameters for Reduced Activation Ferritic-Martensitic (RAFM) Steel

Abstract

Reduced-activation ferritic and martensitic (RAFM) steels are considered as struc tural materials for fusion reactor applications as they can loose their induced radioactivity quite early. In RAFM steel weld joints produced by A-TIG welding process, weld bead width (BW), depth of penetration and heat affected zone (HAZ) width play an important role in determining the mechanical properties and also the performance of the weld joints during service. To obtain the desired depth of penetration, and HAZ width, it becomes necessary to set up the welding process parameters. In the present work, intelligent modeling using genetic algorithm (GA) was used for optimization of the welding process parameters. Then GA suggested welding process parameters were validated for achieving the desired depth of penetration and HAZ width during A-TIG welding of RAFM steels. There was good agreement between the predicted and the measured values of depth of penetration and the HAZ width obtained.