Residual Stress Characterization of Welds using X-ray Diffration Techniques

Author:  James Pineault, Michael Brauss, John Eckersley
Source:  Proto Manufacturing, Old Castle, Ontario, Canada
Doc ID:  1996129
Year of Publication:  1996
Abstract:  
Neglect of residual stresses created during welding processes can lead to stress corrosion cracking, distortion, fatigue cracking, premature failures in components, and instances of over disign. Automated residual stress mappiing and truly portable equipment have now made the characterization of residual stresses using x-ray diffraaction technique has made the residual stress characterization of welds a useful tool for process optimization and failure analysis, particularly since components can be measured before and after welding and post welding processes. This paper illustrates the improtance of residual stress characterization in welds and presents examples where x-ray diffraction techniques were applied in the characterization of various kinds of welds including arc welds, TIG welds, resistance welds, laser welds and electron beam welds. Numbaerous technoques are available to help manage potentially harmful residual stresses created during the welding process thus, the effects of a few example post weld processes such as grinding, heat treating and shot peening are also addressed.