Experimental Study and Parametric Optimization of Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welding of Stainless Steel AISI 316 Pipes

Abstract

Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding is a form of arc welding that is utilized in a variety of sectors such as food, pharmaceuticals, chemical plants, marine, aerospace, medical devices, and implants. The procedure comprises various factors that the operator controls, which affect the microstructure and mechanical qualities of the joints. In this work, three TIG welding variables of welding current, root gap and shielding gas flow rate, were varied to three levels and their implications on hardness, ultimate tensile strength, compressive and bending strength were explored. Investigations were conducted out on a 2mm thick pipe of austenitic stainless steel AISI 316 grade using TIG welding equipment and were carried out using Taguchi-based Grey relation analysis L9 orthogonal array (OA). As a filler material, ER308L was employed. The results were examined using the signal to noise S/N ratio and analysis of variance. The optimum values of control variables in the AISI 316 grade control factors were welding current (WC) level 3 used 100A, gas flow rate (GRF) level 3 used 14 lit/min, and root gap (RG) 1.5mm. Welding current was the most important characteristic, contributing to 85.6% of Rockwell hardness, ultimate tensile strength, compressive and bending strength enhancement. The overall R2 (adj) was 97.53%. Only 97.51% of the variance was explained by specified criteria, leaving 2.47% unaccounted. As a result, the validation experiment results demonstrated what was performed acceptable. The use of back gas purging devices improved stainless steel's ultimate tensile strength, bending strength, compressive strength, and Rockwell hardness substantially. Furthermore, the maximum Rockwell hardness, ultimate tensile strength, compressive strength, and bending strength 59.5 HRC improved by 1.7%, 912.5MPa advanced by 1.8%, 547.8MPa improved by 1.83%, and 1036MPa improved by 1.66%, respectively. The element performed has sound quality and good mechanical properties.Tungsten Inert Gas (Tig) Welding Is A Form Of Arc Welding That Is Utilized In A Variety Of Sectors Such As Food, Pharmaceuticals, Chemical Plants, Marine, Aerospace, Medical Devices, And Implants. The Procedure Comprises Various Factors That The Operator Controls, Which Affect The Microstructure And Mechanical Qualities Of The Joints. In This Work, Three Tig Welding Variables Of Welding Current, Root Gap And Shielding Gas Flow Rate, Were Varied To Three Levels And Their Implications On Hardness, Ultimate Tensile Strength, Compressive And Bending Strength Were Explored. Investigations Were Conducted Out On A 2mm Thick Pipe Of Austenitic Stainless Steel Aisi 316 Grade Using Tig Welding Equipment And Were Carried Out Using Taguchi-Based Grey Relation Analysis L9 Orthogonal Array (Oa). As A Filler Material, Er308l Was Employed. The Results Were Examined Using The Signal To Noise S/N Ratio And Analysis Of Variance. The Optimum Values Of Control Variables In The Aisi 316 Grade Control Factors Were Welding Current (Wc) Level 3 Used 100a, Gas Flow Rate (Grf) Level 3 Used 14 Lit/Min, And Root Gap (Rg) 1.5mm. Welding Current Was The Most Important Characteristic, Contributing To 85.6% Of Rockwell Hardness, Ultimate Tensile Strength, Compressive And Bending Strength Enhancement. The Overall R2(Adj) Was 97.53%. Only 97.51% Of The Variance Was Explained By Specified Criteria, Leaving 2.47% Unaccounted. As A Result, The Validation Experiment Results Demonstrated What Was Performed Acceptable. The Use Of Back Gas Purging Devices Improved Stainless Steel's Ultimate Tensile Strength, Bending Strength, Compressive Strength, And Rockwell Hardness Substantially. Furthermore, The Maximum Rockwell Hardness, Ultimate Tensile Strength, Compressive Strength, And Bending Strength 59.5 Hrc Improved By 1.7%, 912.5mpa Advanced By 1.8%, 547.8mpa Improved By 1.83%, And 1036mpa Improved By 1.66%, Respectively. The Element Performed Has Sound Quality And Good Mechanical Properties.