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Active Thermography for Quality Assurance of joints in automobile manufacturing

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Abstract

Today’s automotive engineering increasingly demands state-of-the-art quality control. In order to assure their quality, components have to be inspected — ideally by means of non-destructive tests. However, many test cases do not offer reliable and automated non-destructive testing methods. Active thermography offers solutions to assure joint quality. This relatively new non-destructive evaluation method for materials and components is robust, contactless and two-dimensional. This paper provides an overview on the physical properties of the different investigated thermographic technologies: ultrasound, inductive and optical excitation of heat flows. By demonstrating the various test cases, by testing structural and elastic adhesives, mechanical clinch joints and laser-welded joints, the possibilities of respective excitation methods were discussed and examples of the results were demonstrated. Furthermore, the aspects of quality rating and automated testing were reflected.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Joining and Welding (ifs), University of Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany

    Christian Srajbr,  Gheorghe Tanasie,  Klaus Dilger &  Stefan BÖhm

Authors
  1. Christian Srajbr
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  2. Gheorghe Tanasie
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  3. Klaus Dilger
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  4. Stefan BÖhm
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Correspondence to Christian Srajbr.

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Srajbr, C., Tanasie, G., Dilger, K. et al. Active Thermography for Quality Assurance of joints in automobile manufacturing. Weld World 55, 90–97 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03321312

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03321312

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