Study and Investigations on Process Parameters for Bead Geometry during Cladding by Pulsed MIG Welding Process

Abstract

Bead geometry is a very important factor in achieving and studying the properties of the weld cladding in fusion welding process. This paper addresses minimization of depth of penetration and predicting the behavior of the cladded bead parameters during cladding of AISI 317L stainless steel electrode of 1.2mm diameter over low carbon structural steel (ASTM A105/ IS: 2062), by using Pulsed Metal Inert Gas welding process through response surface methodology. The input process parameters for present analysis are welding current (I), welding speed (S) and nozzle-to-plate distance (N) respectively. Experiments were conducted as per central composite design techniques, models were developed from the collection of data, and the measured responses are viz., depth of penetration, height of reinforcement and bead width. From the ANOVA it was found that welding speed and nozzle-to-plate distance is the dominant parameter in deciding the depth of penetration of the weld bead at the lower level. It is also found that the height of reinforcement reduces with increase in the welding speed.