Prediction and Control of Weld Bead Geometry in PTAH

Abstract

Where is the predominant factor that controls the life of any machine part. Imparting wear and corrosion resistance to metal surfaces by providing a hard surface is the basis for hardfacing. Plasma Transferred arc hardfacing process is preferred among the other processes due to higher volume of metal deposition rates, achieving lower dilution levels, easiness in process automation etc., Computation of process equations by PTAW to predict the weld bead geometry is largely used in automatic PTAH. This paper highlights the use of Taguchi's Orthogonal array technique for the development of mathematical equations for predicting the weld bead geometry in hardfacing Cobalt Chromium alloy onto Alloy Steel. The developed equations were tested for significance and confirmatory tests were for validating the developed models. Also the effect of important process parameters on bead quality has been discussed and represented in graphical form, which helps in selecting the hardfacing process parameters to achieve the desired weld bead quality.