TWA 20
Measurement of Residual Stress
Residual stresses can be introduced into components by a variety of forging, welding, heat-treatment and surface treatment processes, and during the fabrication of multi-phase and composite materials. These stresses can significantly affect the strength and fracture characteristics of engineering components. Consequently, it is essential that accurate information is available of the residual stress distributions present in components for reliable estimates to be made of their safety and useful lifetimes.
A number of experimental methods are available for determining residual stresses. These include X-ray diffraction, hole drilling, boring, sectioning, magnetic and neutron diffraction techniques. Only the neutron diffraction method is capable of making satisfactory residual stress measurements non-destructively within the interior of materials. However, it has only recently been developed to the level of precision where it can be used for engineering applications. The objective of the projects within this TWA is to establish accurate and reliable procedures to develop a draft Standards or Codes of Practice.
In March 2010, it was agreed to terminate the work of TWA 20 because of the rapid change in the measurement technique considered which made any standardisation to be premature.
Publications
- Measurement of residual stress in materials using
neutrons
IAEA-TECDOC-1457
More information
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