Title: Application of Taguchi method to optimise dissimilar laser welded components

Authors: E.M. Anawa, A.G. Olabi, M.S.J. Hashmi

Addresses: School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland. ' School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland. ' School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland

Abstract: In this study CO₂ Laser Beam Welding (LBW) process was successfully applied and optimised for joining a dissimilar AISI 316 stainless steel and AISI 1008 low carbon steel plates. Laser power, welding speed and defocusing distance combinations were carefully selected with the objective of producing welded joint with complete penetration, minimum fusion zone size and acceptable welding profile. Fusion zone area of dissimilar austenitic stainless steel with ferritic low carbon steel was evaluated as a function of the selected laser welding parameters. Taguchi approach was used as statistical Design of Experiment (DOE) technique for optimising the selected welding parameters in terms of minimising the fusion zone. A mathematical model was developed to describe the influence of the selected parameters on the fusion zone area and to predict its value within the limits of the variables being studied. The result indicates that the developed model can predict the welded bead area satisfactorily.

Keywords: dissimilar materials; fusion zone area; CO₂ laser beam welding; LBW; stainless steel; low carbon steel; design of experiments; DOE; Taguchi methods; steel plates; welding parameters.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMTM.2008.019660

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2008 Vol.15 No.2, pp.219 - 227

Published online: 18 Jul 2008 *

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