Influence of Varying Welding Parameters on Strength of MIG Welded Mild Steel Joints

Abstract

MIG welding is a type of arc welding that uses a continuous solid wire electrode and a shielding gas to join two metals by heating them with an electric arc. We studied process parameters including current, voltage, preheat temperature and post-weld heat treatment. We optimize process parameters of experiments done in previous work using a Taguchi Orthogonal Array (L27) design. A grey based Taguchi method is used to optimize the process parameters. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) is applied to assess the significance of the input parameters on the response parameters. A mathematical model is developed using multiple linear regression equations. Results of this research show that it is possible to get higher strengths of weld joints using Taguchi design. We also find that increasing current (I) and post-weld heat treatment temperature (PWT) increases strength of the studied welded joints, and vice versa. Future research should validate the findings of the current research through experimental investigations.