Abstract:
In this work, welding costs were used to determine operational parameters and economically feasible for weld overlay with FCAW process. Four control factors were employed with three levels each: reference voltage (24, 26, 28 V), welding speed (0,33, 0,5 and 0,8 m/min), welding gun orientation (perpendicular, forehand and backhand), shielding gas (100%Ar, 100%CO2 and 80%Ar+20%CO2). The number of tests to be performed was determined by Taguchi method, dividing the tests into L9 orthogonal array resulting in a total of 9 experiments. To compare the costs incurred in each of the tests we used the total direct cost of welding a layer with dimensions of 40 x 190 mm, using an overlap of 50%. Based on the results, the maximum reinforcement obtained was 3.3 mmand the minimum required being 5 mm. Thus the Weld Overlay must have a minimum of two layers e and the lowest cost is obtained for the combination using the shielding gas 100%Ar, welding gun orientation forehand, a reference voltage of 28V and a welding speed of 0,33m/min.