Prediction of Optimum Weld Tensile Strength Using Response Surface Methodology

Abstract

Metals are often subjected to various types of stresses, usually under tensile stress, quick failure of material can be encouraged especially when poor combinations of process parameters are employed in joining of the material. Tensile strength is regarded as the maximum stress that a material can sustain under tension. The aim of this study is to predict the weld tensile strength of tungsten inert gas (TIG) mild steel welds using Response Surface Methodology (RSM), with the purpose of achieving optimum results. The input parameters considered were current, voltage, and gas flow rate. The TIG welding process was used to join two pieces of mild steel plates, after which tensile test was conducted on the specimen. The experimental result was analyzed using the RSM. Weld Tensile test of 596.218MPa with a desirability value of 95.70% was observed to be the best, resulting from the optimized process parameters of current of 120.00 Amp, voltage of 20.00 volt and gas flow rate of 12.00 L/min.