Infrared thermography for monitoring friction stir welding – A review.

Friction stir welding (FSW) is regarded as one the energy efficient solid state welding process. FSW is used to produce permanent joints for aluminium alloy, magnesium, copper and many more with numerous advantages over fusion welding processes. It possesses many characteristics which motivates researchers to treasure out the avenues of enhancements in the process. In FSW mechanical and metallurgical changes takes place due to temperature variations during welding. The temperature variations are the main reason of weld quality and weld defects. If the temperature variations can be monitored and record, the weld quality and weld defect can also be controlled to some extent. Infrared thermography (IRT) has become one of the most extensively recognized tools for condition monitoring. It is a real time non-contact type of temperature measurement system. The intention of this is to provide a comprehensive review of the research work undertaken in the field of condition monitoring of welding by infrared thermography. An attempt is made to review the efficacy of Infrared Thermography for Friction Stir Welding so as to understand the relationship between heat generation and weld quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]