Parametric investigation on surface responses of TIG cladded medium carbon steel substrate with TiO2–SiC powder

Abstract

The present research work consists of surface modification of a medium-carbon steel substrate with TiO2–SiC powder of the same weight percentage. A Taguchi L9 orthogonal array was used for the design of experiments. Different input process parameters, such as current (A), scan speed (mm/s) and gas flow rate (L/min), have played a significant role in controlling geometrical surface responses. The relationship between different input parameters and response surfaces (clad height, clad width) was plotted and discussed. Diagrams have been utilized to demonstrate the combined impacts of any two process factors on clad height and clad width, such as TIG current–scan speed, TIG current–gas flow rate and gas flow rate–scan speed. Experimental observations revealed that cladding input parameters have a significant influence on response surfaces. TIG current has the maximum impact on clad height. Observations showed that with the increment of current up to a certain amount clad height increased. It was also observed that with an increment of current, clad width increases. Observations revealed that as the gas flow rate rises, clad height decreases but clad width increases. It was further noted that with an increase in scan speed, clad height and clad width follow a downward trend.