In-situ X-ray observation of molten pool depth during laser micro welding

Yamada, Tomonori; Shobu, Takahisa  ; Nishimura, Akihiko  ; Yonemoto, Yukihiro; Yamashita, Susumu   ; Muramatsu, Toshiharu

Small size and high-performance fiber lasers enable in-situ flaw sizing and repairs at nuclear power plants. In quantum beam science directorate, the new probing system was developed to treat micro cracks at the welded section of heat exchanger tubes, where a fiber laser beam passed through a composite-type optical fiber scope. Molten pool's diameter by laser welding gradually expanded more than the width of the micro crack's crevice caused by stress corrosion cracking. In this work, we have carried out in-situ X-ray observation of inside materials during laser welding. In-situ observation of inside materials during fiber laser welding provides a useful knowledge of repair welding because bubbles and cracks which cause the poor weld was clearly observed in non-destructive. This is very effective for control of weld defect and investigation of the mechanisms. As a result, we are able to confirm the molten pool depth of butt welding for heat exchanger units using the new probing system.