Current Applications Of X-ray Diffraction Residual Stress Measurement

A brief theoretical development of x-ray diffraction residual stress measurement is presented emphasizing practical engineering applications of the plane-stress model, which requires no external standard. Determination of the full stress tensor is briefly described, and alternate mechanical, magnetic, and ultrasonic methods of residual stress measurement are compared. Sources of error arising in practical application are described. Subsurface measurement is shown to be necessary to accurately determine the stress distributions produced by surface finishing such as machining, grinding, and shot peening, including corrections for penetration of the x-ray beam and layer removal. Current applications of line broadening for the prediction of material property gradients such as yield strength in machined and shot peened surfaces, and hardness in steels are presented. The development of models for the prediction of thermal, cyclic, and overload residual stress relaxation are described.