Investigation of eddy-current anomalies in welded titanium Ti-6Al-4V

摘要

Eddy corrent testing is often used in service to periodically inspect for fatigue cracking in metallic aircraft components. This inspection method was scheduled to be performed in service for several Ti-6Al-4V components that were weld repaired during the manufacturing process. The location of the weld repair coincided with the location on the component which was scheduled to eventually undergo eddy current inspection measurements in service. In order to determine whether the presence of the weld would affect the in service inspection, and eddy current evaluation of the weld and the surrounding base metal was performed. During this evaluation, a response was obtained which indicated that a band of material within the weld was higher in conductivity than the remainder of the weld and the base material. An investigation ensued and it was determined that the response difference was due to the use of extra low interstitial weld rod during a portion of the weld repair.