Process Parameter Selection for Optimizing the Mechanical Properties of Stainless Steel (SS 202 & SS 316) in the Gas Tungsten Arc Welding

Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding is one of the widely used techniques for joining ferrous and non-ferrous metals. The TIG welding parameters are the most significant factors affecting the quality, productivity and cost of welding. In this study, SS 202 and SS 316 types of austenitic stainless steels were welded by GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding) using SS 202 and SS 316 (ER 316L) filler metals, respectively. The present study aims to search out the optimization of process parameters for Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW). The process parameters like welding current, wire diameter, shielding gas, and groove angle were varied at different levels to find out the influence of parameters on Hardness and Toughness. After performing Charpy Impact Test on SS 202 steel at room temperature, the results show that toughness mainly depends on the shielding gas chosen whereas for SS 316 steel the toughness increases as well as decreases as per the changes in the process parameters. Up to the magnitude of 150 A, the Microhardness value increases and then decreases with further rise in its magnitude.