Evaluation of Magnetic Eddy Current Technique in the Inspection of Welded Joints by RSEW in High-Performance Steel Alloys

The need to optimize processes in terms of quality and productivity has led to an increased demand for inspection tools that make the production process faster and more reliable. In the field of welding, one of the biggest challenges is the identification of internal defects. In this context, advanced non-destructive testing techniques have gained prominence in the inspection of joints due to the geometric or metallurgical characteristics of the inspected material. This study evaluated the use of the magnetic eddy current (MEC) technique as an alternative for the inspection of welded joints in thin sheets of high-performance steels by the resistance seam welding (RSEW) process. MEC tests were performed on welded specimens, taken from the production process of high-performance steel coil rolling, using welding parameters both compliant and non-compliant with the production process. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of MEC technique, hot tensile tests were performed to simulate the thermal cycle of the rolling process in the Gleeble thermomechanical system. The results showed a high correlation between the mechanical performance of the joints and the signals obtained through the MEC technique, enabling a future application in industrial environments. In comparison to conventional NDT techniques, MEC proved to be a fast and non-contact metohod with potential for in-line application.