Application of Flow Properties Microprobe to Evaluate Gradients in Weldment Properties

This paper extends the weld characterization work introduced in TWR'89 to a broader range of materials and weld types, demonstrating the Stress-Strain Microprobe®'s practical utility as a weld quality assessment tool. Gradient maps from multiple alloy systems are presented, showing the versatility of ABI® for weld characterization across different industrial applications.

The paper's contribution lies in demonstrating that the weld characterization capability shown for HSLA steels in the earlier work is general — applicable to a wide range of engineering alloys and weld configurations. This generality was important for establishing ABI® as a broadly applicable weld assessment tool rather than a technique limited to specific materials or weld types.