Bridging Gaps in Surface Zone Residual Stress Analysis Using Complementary Probes for Strain Depth Profiling

Abstract

Residual stress depth profiling can be performed by means of non-destructive diffraction methods as well as semi destructive mechanical techniques like the hole drilling method. By none of these methods is it possible to cover the complete depth range being affected by residual stress fields which extend from the surface into the volume of the material. In this paper it is demonstrated that the combined application of surface sensitive X-ray methods and neutron diffraction used normally for bulk stress analysis allows for the study of residual stress gradients generated by mechanical surface treatment. Furthermore, it is shown that the hole drilling method can bridge the information gap between X-ray and neutron diffraction.

Improving Beamtime Efficiency for Residual Stress Neutron Experiments

“…Thus, it is also possible to mount multiple samples at once. Furthermore, the collimator supports even more the complementarity between measurements on E3 and on the Xray and synchrotron instruments when investigating the near surface zone residual stresses [12] .…”

E3: Residual Stress Neutron Diffractometer at BER II

“…With paying attention to arti cial peak shifts the gap from neutron in-depth measurements to surface-zone investigations with X-rays can be bridged (R. C. Wimpory et al, 2011). …”