SUMMARY
INTRODUCTIONA previously proposed description of residual stresses is that they are uncontrolled, unknown stresses left in a component by a method of manufacture or assembly. They can lead to failure by a buildup of stress conditions or by creating a greater susceptibility to failure mechanisms, such as stress corrosion cracking. This description is neither accurate nor comprehensive but it does indicate a major concern of engineers with respect to these stresses.The contribution of residual stresses to premature failure of metallic structures has long been recognized. However, the methodologies of measurement and the costs and difficulties caused by the usually destructive techniques have discouraged their study for all but the most critical and/ or frequent occurrence of component failure. But this philosophy of ignoring the problem is becoming intolerable for an increasing number of situations due to a number of factors. These include the need to reduce the amount of metal in structures, reduction of load safety margins, more stringent quality specifications, and the evolving application of fracture mechanical calculations.Thus, the demand for nondestructive residual stress measurement methods is becoming more critical. Unfortunately, as will be subsequently discussed, only one or two partly destructive methods and one nondestructive surface measurement method can be considered reliable enough for general application.