About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2027 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Advanced Welding, Joining, and Bonding of Structural Steels
|
| Presentation Title |
Laser Ultrasonic Nondestructive Evaluation for Qualification of Micro-Resistance Spot Welds |
| Author(s) |
Lindsey Lindamood |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Lindsey Lindamood |
| Abstract Scope |
Micro-resistance spot weld quality is typically assessed through destructive testing, resulting in material scrap and only statistical confidence in weld integrity. This work investigates the feasibility of laser ultrasonic testing (LUT) as a nondestructive method for qualifying micro-resistance spot welds in thin stainless-steel sheet assemblies. The approach uses pulsed laser excitation and laser interferometric detection to generate and measure guided ultrasonic waves. Finite element and guided-wave simulations were performed to evaluate wave propagation through weld junctions and to identify signal characteristics associated with small weld defects. Results indicate that poor weld and flaw conditions produce measurable changes in energy distribution, attenuation, and waveform structure relative to acceptable welds. Experimental studies include representative good, over-weld, and under-weld conditions, supported by laser profilometry measurements and weld monitoring output. Finally, LUT responses are correlated with destructive weld strength testing to demonstrate the feasibility of LUT for nondestructive weld qualification. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Modeling and Simulation, Other, Other |