Track: Operations Research

Abstract

Welding flux design is a multi-objective optimization problem with several conflicting objectives. The traditional welding flux development is unwieldy process involving lengthy and costly, trial and error experiments and the optimum welding flux formulation is not guaranteed. This paper proposed a methodology that will prescribe an optimal welding flux formulation that is the closest to the ideal flux with minimum cost and experimental effort. Response models developed by Kanjilal and co-investigators were used to determine the optimal flux formulation using compromise programming. Analytical hierarchy process was used to determine the weight (w_j) to reflect the relative importance of each criterion. The response models for the weld metal properties, were optimised individually to determine the ideal points and to set up the payoff matrix. The payoff matrix developed for the eight criteria showed that two criteria were complementary while others were conflicting. The side plate ferrite and charpy impact strength were the two complementary criteria. The Lp distance metric was used to determine the flux formulation for varying values of the p and w_j. Compromise programming is an efficient method in determining the welding flux formulation thereby eliminating the problem faced by the traditional method.