Capability of a feed-forward artificial neural network to predict the constitutive flow behavior of as cast 304 stainless steel under hot deformation

A model is developed to predict the constitutive flow behavior of as cast 304 stainless steel during hot deformation using artificial neural network (ANN). The inputs of the neural network are strain, strain rate, and temperature, whereas flow stress is the output. Experimental data obtained from hot compression tests in the temperature range 1023-1523 K, strain range 0.1-0.5, and strain rate range 10(-3)-10(2) s(-1) are employed to develop the model. A three-layer feed-forward ANN is trained with standard back propagation and some upgraded algorithms like resilient propagation (Rprop) and superSAB. The performances of these algorithms are evaluated using a wide variety of standard statistical indices. The results of this study show that Rprop algorithm performs better as compared to others and thereby considered as the most efficient algorithm for the present study It has been shown that the developed ANN model can efficiently and accurately predict the hot deformation behavior of as cast 304 stainless steel. Finally, an attempt has been made to quantify the extrapolation ability of the developed network.