Non-contact Temperature Measurement of Stainless Steel in a TIG Welding Process

Abstract

The goal of this research was to design and test an experimental setup capable of performing a TIG welding process and acquiring temperature measurements near the weld with the use of an infrared spot sensor. The data collected can then be used to validate a computer simulation that models the exact same process. An experimental setup was built, and preliminary temperature data were collected. It was determined that infrared measurements taken at the arc contain excessive amounts of interfering radiation emanating from the welding zone. The optimal angle of orientation is normal to the weld line. In this way an infrared spot sensor can be focused on an area just down weld of the arc where the temperatures remain relatively high and thermal gradients, although still large, are at a minimum. Additional data were collected from thermocouples to validate the infrared sensor results and also to provide additional data that can be compared to a computer model. Sources of error were identified and recommendations were made as to how they can be avoided or minimized.