Optimizing Laser Beam Welding Performance Parameters on Nimonic 80A Superalloy: A Study on Experimentation, TGRA, and PCA

Abstract

This article describes the effect of CO₂ LBW performance parameters for the welded joint of 1.5 mm thin sheet of Nimonic 80A superalloy. Superalloy 80A used in high temperature application as aero-engine components- blade, rings, exhaust gas turbine part, nuclear tube support and automobile valve. The study focused on optimizing the welding process for the welded joints. Here, LP, WS, FD, and shielding GR will be optimised to improve the weld quality of Nimnic 80A material. Two different optimization techniques were used. The first method is SOO, which is based on the S/N ratio. The aim of this method is to find the Single-optimal values of process parameters. The second method employed MOO, combining the Taguchi grey relational analysis (TGRA) with the principal component analysis (PCA) technique. The researchers used these methods in an effort to identify the set of parameters for obtaining improved weld quality. Authors find best setting parameters p₃-v₃-f₃-g₁, with the specific parameter values are LP 2400 W, WS 1800 mm/min, FD 18 mm, and GR 10 lpm. The optimized parameters have yield significant improvements in the depth of penetration 6.03%, weld bead 8.74%, Vickers hardness 12.5%, and tensile strength 16.48% by using TGRA coupled with PCA.

Key-words:
Nimonic 80A; CO₂ laser beam welding; Single-objective optimization; Multi-objective optimization; TGRA coupled with PCA