Digital Image Processing Of Friction Stir Weld Bead Surface Using Profiling and Contouring For Weld Quality Assessment

Abstract

This paper presents a methodology to analyze surface quality of the friction stir welding (FSW) process using image processing techniques. FSW experiments are carried out at different process parameters and images of the weld nugget are captured. The images are digitally processed and analyzed using MATLAB to study the variations in the surface quality of weld under various process parameters, such as tool rotational speed and traverse feed. The surface roughness of the specimens is evaluated using roughness tester and compared with image data. The parameters of the images are analyzed using histogram and contour plots. This methodology paves a way to online condition monitoring of FSW process for surface quality.