Selection of the GTAW-flux process parameters on type 310 stainless steel via a Taguchi-Neural approach

Abstract

In order to achieve single pass welds without edge preparation, instead of multipass procedures, one of the most notable techniques is to use activating flux with GTA welding (GTAW-flux) process. In autogenous GTA welding mixed fluxes (oxide SiO2 and Cr2O3), were applied oil the weld area of type 3 10 stainless steel through a layer of the flux to produce a bead-on-plate weld. Many parameters affect the GTAW-flux process quality. The Taguchi method can improve oil the disadvantages of full factorial design. However, in practice, it has certain limitations. In this work, a Taguchi-Neural approach (Combine Taguchi method and a neural network) was used to select the GTAW-flux process parameters. The experimental procedure of GTAW-flux process, via the proposed approach produced full penetration of the weld root in 8 mm thick type 3 10 stainless steel with single pass welds.