Verifying root fusion in electron-beam welds

Ultrasonic equipment and x-y recorder indicate where back side of joint is properly welded. Wire waveguide placed in groove at root of joint to be welded is fused when joint is adequately penetrated. Ultransonic signal moving down waveguide is reflected where guide is melted. Change in reflected-signal arrival time with change in weld-head position is nearly constant unless joint is incompletely penetrated. Method permits determination of penetration depth in preweld samples without opening vacuum chamber and sectioning weld. Technique is particularly valuable when back side of joint is inaccessible.