Prediction of formability of MIG and TIG welded joints by Erichsen cupping test and fuzzy-logic technique

Abstract

The current investigation was carried out to evaluate the formability characteristics of tungsten inert gas (TIG) and metal inert gas (MIG) welded parts by conducting Erichsen tests. It is noted that in both the MIG and TIG welded parts, the fracture occurred irrespective of the sheet metal thickness. However, the formability of TIG welds was comparatively better than the MIG weld parts. Further, fuzzy-logic method was adopted to predict the Erichsen index value and compared with the experimental values. It was observed that fuzzy-logic predicted values were nearly accurate to the experimental ones, with a minor error of 1.4%. Fuzzy-logic technique is found to be a useful technique to predict the response and in saving time and costly trials on the shop floor, thus beneficial for industrial applications.