Multiattribute Assessment of Consumables for TIG Welding of Aluminum Alloys

Abstract

Consumable materials for welding processes such as filler alloy, electrode, and shielding gas have major implications in welding technology. Selecting the appropriate set of consumable materials for welding aluminum alloys from various available alternates gives rise to a significant decision making problem. This study proposes a strategic justification tool based on integrated analytical hierarchy process, technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (AHP-TOPSIS), to screen and select the best possible combination of filler alloy, electrode, and shielding gas for TIG welding. Based on qualitative analysis of available alternates, ER5356 filler alloys and 0.8% zirconiated electrode are selected as suitable consumable in combination with pure argon as shielding gas. The proposed result is experimentally validated using mechanical property testing.