Assessing thermal properties of multipass weld beads using active thermography: microstructural variations and anisotropy analysis

Abstract In the present paper, the results of a research focused on microstructure investigation of steel welded joints by means of non destructive thermographic technique are presented. In particular, two rough joints obtained by means of irregular manual welding are analyzed. Active lock in thermography phase analysis is applied, basing on the evidence that thermal diffusivity is related to the thermal diffusion length, using the phase contrast trend as a function of the distance from the laser spot. Diffusivity is expected to be dependent on the local microstructure and vary through different directions. By the variation in diffusivity, it is possible to investigate the level of anisotropy.The results are compared with micrographic analysis. The proposed method provides an active lock-in infrared thermography analysis by means of a thermal camera and an exciting laser head to evaluate thermal diffusivity.