Ultrasonic analysis of inertia welds

Inertia friction welding is a solid state bonding process which allows for the inexpensive joining of otherwise difficult to weld materials. The disadvantage of the process is that little is known about the evaluation of the weld quality. This paper addresses evaluation problems for welds of similar and dissimilar metals. Evaluation was performed by means of ultrasonic signal analysis using spectroscopy, metallographic examination and mechanical testing. Correlations were found between the ultrasonic data, the microstructure and the mechanical test results that would allow for the ultrasonic assessment of the inertia weld quality