Method for testing studs and corresponding device

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods for non-destructive testing of a weld joint of a bolt (8) welded onto a contact area (4) on a planar sheet metal (6), more specifically a stud bolt welded on using the lift ignition method, wherein during the welding operation a weld pool (10) having a modified material structure is formed beneath said contact area (4), said method using directed ultrasonic signals and comprising the following operational steps: transmitting of ultrasonic signals into said sheet metal (6) using a directing and obliquely transmitting ultrasonic transmitter (1) at a coupling-in point (A), coupling out of the ultrasonic signals transmitted through said sheet metal (6) at a coupling-out point (B) by means of an ultrasonic receiver (2), wherein said coupling-out point (B) is located on the acoustic path of undisturbed signal spreading of the ultrasonic signals transmitted into said sheet metal (6), wherein the acoustic path of undisturbed signal spreading of the ultrasonic signals transmitted into said sheet metal (6) between the coupling-in point (A) and the coupling-out point (B) extends at such a distance from said contact area (4) that said weld pool (10) of a weld joint to be classified as intact is scanned by the acoustic path of the ultrasonic signals, and detecting the intensity of the ultrasonic signals transmitted from said coupling-in point (A) to said coupling-out point (B).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.