Optimizing submerged arc welding using response surface methodology, regression analysis, and genetic algorithm

The weld quality is significantly affected by the weld parameters(arc voltage, welding current, nozzle to plate distance and welding speed) in the submerged arc welding(SAW). Bead-on-plate welds were performed on stainless steel plates by automated SAW machine. The experimental data were collected in accordance with the response surface methodology(RSM). In addition to RSM, the regression analysis was performed to set up inputeoutput relationships in the SAW process. It was found that weld parameters define the geometry of weld bead and determine the mechanical properties of the joint. The influence of the input variables on weld bead geometry is represented as graphs. It was found that an increment in voltage increases the bead width but decreases the bead height, whereas the current increment result-in an increment in bead height and no change in bead width. The bead width and height decrease with the increment in the welding speed. With an increment in the nozzle-to-plate distance, bead width decrease, but bead height increases. The value of bead hardness increases with the increment in current but the increment in voltage and travel speed does not have a significant influence on the bead hardness. The predictions from the mathematical model developed and the corresponding experimental results are having a fair agreement. Further, the genetic algorithm(GA) is also used for predicting the weld bead geometry.

Experimental and simulation studies on delamination strength of laminated glass composites having polyvinyl butyral and ethyl vinyl acetate inter-layers of different critical thicknesses

The laminated glasses(LGs)composites are gaining popularity as protectivestructural material. Delamination strength(DS) of(LGs) with different inter-layers and their different nominal thicknesses were compared. The effect of inter-layer thickness, delamination load, and inter-layer type on DS is clearly observed from this brief study. It is concluded that inter-layer thickness has the significant role in determining the DS of LGs. The statistical analysis confirmed the strong association of DS with inter-layer thickness and the interlayer type. It was found that the LG-PVB composite has the comparatively lower DS than LG-EVA composite and inter-layer thickness has the prominent role in the determination of DS in the LG-EVAcomposite. There is an increment in DS with an increment in critical inter-layer thickness in both LG-EVA and LG-PVBcomposites. The increment in the inter-layer thickness from 0.38 mm to 0.76 mm increases DS significantly; whereas, the further increment in the inter-layer thickness to the higher value has a lesser effect. The finite element model was constituted(without considering the effect of temperature) for determining DS of LG composite. The simulation results were in a good match with experimental results. The results of the present work can be utilized by the design engineers while selecting LG for structural applications.

Effect of wood dust type on mechanical properties, wear behavior, biodegradability, and resistance to natural weathering of wood-plastic composites

The present work reports the inclusion of different proportions of Mango/Sheesham/Mahogany/Babool dust to polypropylene for improving mechanical,wear behavior and biodegradability of wood-plastic composite(WPC).The wood dust(10%,15%,20%by weight)was mixed with polypropylene granules and WPCs were prepared using an injection molding technique.The mechanical,wear,and morphological characterizations of fabricated WPCs were carried out using standard ASTM methods,pin on disk apparatus,and scanning electron microscopy(SEM),respectively.Further,the biodegradability and resistance to natural weathering of WPCs were evaluated following ASTM D5338-11 and ASTM D1435-99,respectively.The WPCs consisting ofBabool and Sheesham dust were having superior mechanical properties whereas the WPCs consisting of Mango and Mahogany were more wear resistant.It was found that increasing wood powder proportion results in higher Young's modulus,lesser wear rate,and decreased stress at break.The WPCs made of Sheesham dust were least biodegradable.It was noticed that the biodegradability corresponds with resistance to natural weathering;more biodegradable WPCs were having the lesser resistance to natural weathering.

Correction to: Effect of wood dust type on mechanical properties,wear behavior,biodegradability,and resistance to natural weathering of wood-plastic composites

After publication of our article[1],the authors became aware that they had omitted to include the credit line for Fig.1[2].The corrected Fig.1 caption with the credit line is given below:“Fig.1(a)Photograph of wood-plastic composite samples;(b)photographs of experimental setups used 1)pin on disk,2)tensile testing,3)three-point bending,4)impact,5)injection molding,6)effect of weathering[12].Reprinted from Construction and Building Materials,172,Thanate Ratanawilai,Kampanart Taneerat,Alternative polymeric matrices for wood-plastic composites:Effects on mechanical properties and resistance to natural weathering,349–357,Copyright(2018),with permission from Elsevier.”