Investigation of Fume Formation Rate in SMAW of 316L Stainless Steel with Different Electrodes Using Taguchi and Anova

Abstract

Welding is one of the most utilized joining techniques in heavy industry and manufacturing sector due to its ease of application and strength. 316L grade stainless steel is mainly used in chemical, petro-chemical, food, paper, paint and shipbuilding industries as well as dairy equipment. Arc welding processes are preferred in joining of stainless steel and shielded metal arc welding is widely used in this respect along with gas metal arc welding. There are some drawbacks of welding despite many advantages. Welding is defined as a hazardous process in terms of occupational safety and health and the environment because of toxic fume and noxious gases emitted. In this study, Taguchi design of experiment was utilized and shielded metal arc welding of 316L grade stainless steel was realized using electrodes with same classification from two different brands with different current parameters. Fume formation rates for each experimental condition were measured and results were evaluated using Taguchi signal to noise ratios and analysis of variance.