Non-contact temperature measurements using an infrared camera in aerospace welding applications

This paper describes the application of infrared (IR) thermal imaging and temperature measurements in welding applications, both on single plane plates and on an aero engine turbine component with complex geometry. Temperature profiles were measured on the plates using thermocouples (T/C) in combination with an IR camera system, and the results were compared. The IR camera was used both in line scan mode (270 Hz scan frequency) and in full frame mode (I Hz frame rate). Different methods of surface treatments have been tested to handle the problem of the surface emissivity variations due to oxidation during welding. Results from measurements using thermocouples and IR camera is presented in the paper as well as temperature measurements using the IR camera on an turbine exhaust case (TEC) engine component.