THE ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF PARAMETERS IN GAS METAL ARC WELDING OF STRUCTURAL STEEL WITH METAL CORED WIRE ON WELDING FUME USING TAGUCHI METHOD AND ANOVA

Abstract

Welding is one of the most important manufacturing techniques in heavy industry manufacturing sectors and gas metal arc welding is highly utilized in manufacturing due to its relatively ease of use and adaptability to automation. Welding process emits hazardous fume, which is comprised of metal particulates and gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone and oxides of nitrogen, which may be generated in significant quantities during common arc welding processes. It is known that more than 800,000 welders are active around the world today and emissions related to welding can affect environment and worker's health adversely. In this study, Taguchi design of experiment method was employed in gas metal arc welding (GMAW) of low carbon structural steel using metal cored wire. Fume emissions were researched using variety of process parameters. Fume formation rate results were evaluated using Taguchi and analysis of variance (ANOVA) and an evaluation was made towards the effect of global welding activities on environment and workers' health.