Optimization of electron beam welding parameters for Incoloy 903

Byline: N.L. Richards, M.C. Chaturvedi, Y.G. Liu, K. Mount A further study to our previous work has been carried out in an attempt to understand the welding parameters affecting heat-affected zone micro-fissuring in Incoloy 903. Electron beam welding (EBW) parameters such as travel speed, beam current, focus current and beam oscillation were varied, while the accelerating voltage and working distance were kept constant. The six independent variables were formulated into a response surface statistical design in order to investigate the effect of these factors on the dependent variable. The results of the experimentation showed that the main factors affecting micro-fissuring were beam current, focus current, welding speed and oscillation across the welding direction. These factors were combined into a regression equation showing the effect of each independent variable on the micro-fissuring behaviour.