Inspecting Friction Stir Welding Using Electromagnetic Probes

A report describes the use of advanced electromagnetic probes to measure the dimensions, the spatial distribution of electrical conductivity, and related other properties of friction stir welds (FSWs) between parts made of the same or different aluminum alloy(s). The probes are of the type described in "Advanced Electromagnetic Probes for Characterizing Materials"; (GSC-13878), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 21, No. 11 (November 1997), page 4a. To recapitulate: