Verification, characterisation and calibration of ultrasonic inspection systems is critical to ensuing optimum defect detection, imaging and sizing. Traditional Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) reference standard calibration blocks feature a number of machined circular and slotted artificial defects which do not fully represent the shape and complexity of the variety of defects found in modern welded joints. Furthermore, primarily due to the risk of delayed cracking, many current safety critical NDE standards state that inspections should only occur a minimum of 16-48 hours after welding and do not take account of modern metallurgical and welding process advances, which have reduced the likelihood and possibility of such defect occurrences. This presentation will introduce the concepts, techniques and results of a multi-disciplinary research study to investigate the generation of artificially controlled position and size representative welded defects such as Lack of Fusion, Porosity, Hot Cracking and time-delayed Cold Cracking. Particular emphasis will focus on the link between fusion welding process control variables such as the base and filler material, welding process and local environment with the initiation, shape and probability of occurrence of defects. The study will present the results from an automated in-process PAUT inspection of six V-groove, multi-pass welded joints in Carbon and Stainless Steel. Inspections were performed both in and -post process during the multi-pass weld deposition and cool-down period to highlight both defect initiation and temporal based variation of shape and size. Furthermore characterisation and verification results of the artificial defects  and the initiation concepts against traditional reference techniques highlight the sensitivity and capability of the intentional defect strategy. 


Initiation and Phased Array Verification of Intentional Representative Weld Defects

No proceedings papers in 2020. Video only.

QNDE2020 - Virtual Conference

Supporting the need among researchers worldwide for additional online and multimedia content, ASME now offers the ASME Conference Video Collection. This platform will collect and provide long-term access to conference presentation videos, encompassing all technology areas within ASME's technical conference and events program. About 30,000-40,000 engineers across all mechanical engineering and related disciplines participate in ASME conferences each year. This includes authors of approximately 6,000 to 8,000 technical papers published by ASME, the majority of whom also submit video presentations for our virtual conferences. The video collection will be available as an add-on to existing product packages or as a separate subscription.