Mechanical Characterization And Microstructural Investigation Of Microplasma Arc Welded Aisi 316l Thin Stainless Steel Sheets

The microplasma welding (MPAW) is the process of joining thin plate usually in the range 0.3-0.5 mm. The present work includes optimization of ultimate tensile strength (UTS), the effect of process parameters, the effect of hardness on mechanical properties, and metallographic investigation. The MPAW has been performed using 0.5-mm-thin stainless steel 316L sheets. Experiments were carried out based on Taguchi fraction factorial design approach using L27 orthogonal matrix. The tensile, hardness, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) sample were prepared to study the post-weld characterization. As a result of the optimization, UTS for the corresponding optimal settingwas found to be 803.46MPa, whereas predicted experimental result has incremented to 816 MPa. The overall mechanical properties analysis and optimization helps in the enhancement of strength, weld bead uniformity, defect-free weld. The output response of UTS, hardness, microstructure, and SEM, has been correlated with the weld. The optimal welding conditions help to maximize the productivity and minimize the total operating cost of the weld joint.