Acoustic Emission Spot Weld Monitor

摘要

Research was undertaken to determine the feasibility of using acoustic emission (AE) signals to monitor the metallurgical growth of resistance spot welds. Experimental AE monitoring equipment was developed and installed on a spot welder. Next, a controlled set of 150 experimental welds was made on test coupons and the data were analyzed to identify quantifiable patterns in the AE signals indicative of the occurrence of weld growth phases. Results suggest that AE monitoring may be useful for identifying the occurrence of expulsion in bare steel welds and identifying zinc vaporization at the faying surface and possibly at the electrode sheet interface for galvanized steel welds.