용접결함 검사용 수침식초음파탐상기의 매질개선연구

Abstract

For nondestructive inspection of electron beam (EB) welding part in automotive power transmission assembly, a pulse-echo ultrasonic testing apparatus in water immersion has been applied using the ultrasonic waves with a frequency of 10MHz. However various problems have appeared during the ultrasonic inspection, which led to some significant mistakes in automatic quality evaluation of the welding parts. Experimental study showed that the state of water couplant medium containing some amount of contaminants, rusts and anti-corrosion agents had considerable influences on the reduction of ultrasonic amplitudes during wave propagation. The amplitude reduction depending on the coupling medium state could bring about some misdiagnoses for defects in the welding parts. The results proposed that for a reliable inspection of defects in welds the state of water medium should be kept in about 15 volume fractions(vol.%) of anti-corrosion agents and in minimized contaminants.