Use of Infrared Thermography for the Inspection of Welds in the Shop and Field

2017PDFTech Reporthttp://www.fdot.gov/research/Completed_Proj/Summary_SMO/FDOT-BDV31-977-64-rpt.pdfBDV31-977-64Weld testsInfrared analysisDefectsFeasibility analysisInspectionThermographsThermographyWeldsIR-UTDFloridaFlorida. Dept. of TransportationManuel, MicheleWasher, GlennUniversity of Florida. Dept. of Materials Science & EngineeringUniversity of Missouri. Dept. of Civil and Environmental EngineeringFlorida. Dept. of TransportationNTL-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATION-MaterialsUS Transportation CollectionThis report represents an initial, proof-of-concept study to explore the feasibility of infrared ultra-time domain (IR-UTD) technology for the detection of defects in welds. The report includes two primary sections. The first section provides some background on the technology of infrared thermography (IRT) and common methods of applying that technology for the detection of defects in materials. This includes a summary of previous research found in the literature that applies to the detection of defects in steel welds using IRT. A second, experimental section explores the use of IRT on various specimens using several excitation sources to image subsurface defects. Progress was made and subsurface targets could be detected. It is envisioned that the successful completion of this work will open the opportunity for a larger analytical study to quantify IRT images with specific flaw types and geometries that are detrimental to mechanical integrity of the weld