{"id":3206,"date":"2024-05-06T15:21:31","date_gmt":"2024-05-06T13:21:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/factorylab.fr\/qualisoud-in-process-welding-quality-using-infrared-thermography\/"},"modified":"2025-09-02T15:46:38","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T13:46:38","slug":"qualisoud-in-process-welding-quality-using-infrared-thermography","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/factorylab.fr\/en\/qualisoud-in-process-welding-quality-using-infrared-thermography\/","title":{"rendered":"QUALISOUD: In-process welding quality using infrared thermography"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Project conducted by the FactoryLab<\/a>, industrial consortium, led by CETIM<\/a> with support from R&D Vision<\/a> and in collaboration with Naval Group<\/a>, Stellantis<\/a>, SLB<\/a> and Safran<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

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Early detection of through and underlying welding defects to avoid reworking (post-process) and its significant cost and quality implications<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

In a stringent regulatory context, professionals who apply welding processes need to improve the performance and productivity of testing in order to stay ahead in a fiercely competitive market. Against that background, finding innovative and efficient solutions that allow technological breakthroughs can create a game-changing shift. <\/p>\n\n

Conventionally, weld quality is tested either during the welding process (between passes) via surface methods (penetrant testing, magnetic particle testing), or after welding using surface and volume methods (X-rays, ultrasound). Such testing results in cumbersome repairs in the event of nonconformity. <\/p>\n\n

Non-destructive testing of welds during the welding process (online monitoring) could reduce or even do away with conventional tests by detecting the appearance of defects early on, and thus save time at the repair stage or the development of new welding processes. The Safran<\/a> case of application, which was addressed as part of the QUALISOUD project, was the TIG welding process on 1mm thick butt-welded Inconel specimens with straight edges. <\/p>\n\n

Identifying a configuration that is suitable for a good view of the welding scene<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

The first need in such studies is to obtain a clear view of the weld pool and\/or bead as it cools (solidification and cooling area). Indeed, this stage is crucial for the rest of the study and, after a large number of tests with many adjustments, the saturation of the radiation emitted by the arc on the detector was successfully reduced, allowing a satisfactory view of the weld pool and the cooling bead. <\/p>\n\n

Creation and detection of the most common\/harmful defects in such assemblies<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

After that, one must be able to create the required defects on demand; the defects that have been selected as the most representative (common\/harmful) are incomplete fusion<\/em><\/strong>, inclusions<\/em><\/strong>, cracks<\/em><\/strong> and incomplete penetration<\/em><\/strong>. We were able to generate such faults by modifying the welding variables, and their detection was confirmed: <\/p>\n\n