Application of thermal methods for characterization of steel welded joints

Despite the large number of proposals in the field of fatigue prediction of welded joints, a globally accepted and unified theory, which applies easily to any load condition, does not exist. Real life components, indeed, differ in geometry and/or type of load from the structural design for which they are regarded by Standards, so that a lot of precautionary safety factors are used that lead to an underestimation of the actual fatigue life of joints. Infrared thermography has a great potential in this field, both from structural and thermomechanical points of view. It enables a full field stress analysis with a sufficient spatial resolution so that the complexity of the stress state at the weld toe and its time evolution are taken into account, emphasizing anomalies that may predict structural failure. A new methods for evaluation fatigue limit damage is presented in this paper and in particular interesting results derived from analysis of the evolution of thermoelastic signal phase. Variations in the value of signal phase indicate a not elastic behaviour and plastic dissipation in the material.