Ultrasonic quality control methods for spot-welded joints

Abstract

Spot resistance welding is the most popular method of connecting the steel structures of automotive vehicles. At a time when quality requirements relating to finished goods are higher and higher, welded joints must undergo precise controls in order to assure the highest safety standards possible. Ultrasonic methods enable quick and accurate assessment of any welded joint's quality, and at the same time are environmentally friendly. Three ultrasonic applications that make it possible to determine the quality of a welded joint were discussed in the article: testing of joints welded by a single welding head, scanning acoustic tomography, and the resistance spot welding analyzers system – with the application of a mosaic head. The advantages and drawbacks of individual systems were described based on our own experience.

Notes

This article is a result of inter-university cooperation between the Wroclaw University of Technology in Poland and Windsor University in Ontario, Canada.