Novel non-destructive technique for detecting the weld fusion zone using a filler wire of high x-ray contrast
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-2021
Department
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Abstract
Non-destructive testing (NDT) of welded aluminium (Al) joints for quality assessment is of great importance to the automotive industry, among others. Currently, no post-process NDT technique can differentiate between the fusion zone and substrate for typical welded Al joints, thereby preventing measurement of crucial quality metrics such as weld penetration. X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) and x-ray radiography are two common NDT techniques used to evaluate internal discontinuities in welds. A novel method that provides contrast between the Al substrate and weld fusion zone in x-ray images is demonstrated. The post-process technique relies on incorporation of a dopant element in the filler wire with a greater x-ray attenuation coefficient than the substrate, demonstrated here through incorporation of Cu in the filler wire for gas tungsten arc welded (GTAW) Al joints. This novel grayscale contrast in the post-process x-ray images enables the detection of penetration depth and weld throat, which cannot be differentiated when using conventional filler wires. Composition maps of the joint cross sections are compared with the post-process x-ray scans to further examine this technique.
Publication Title
NDT and E International
Recommended Citation
Galos, J.,
Ghaffari, B.,
Hetrick, E.,
Jones, M.,
Benoit, M.,
Wood, T.,
Sanders, P.,
Easton, M.,
&
Mouritz, A.
(2021).
Novel non-destructive technique for detecting the weld fusion zone using a filler wire of high x-ray contrast.
NDT and E International,
124.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ndteint.2021.102537
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/15344