Residual Stress Measurement by Neutron Diffraction
Residual stresses are stresses within a component following the
thermal and/or mechanical treatments used to produce it. They can
be beneficial or detrimental to performance, and we need to be able to
measure them.
Residual stresses are important as they affect the life and
manufacturability of engineering components.
The aim of our work in this area is to characterize residual stresses
in powder metallurgy and automotive components using neutron
diffraction.
Powder Metallurgy Synchroniser Hub
Residual stresses were measured in a powder metallurgy synchroniser hub
by neutron diffraction
Neutron diffraction uses the crystalline structure of materials as
atomic strain gauges, changes in the atomic spacing indicate strains in
the material.
The method uses neutrons from a nuclear reactor or ‘pulsed’ source (the
IJK has a pulsed source, ISIS, in Didcot).
Results help us understand how changes in geometry influence the
residual stress distribution which affects the sintering behaviour and
final strength of the component.
Fatigue behaviour of magnesium
alloy racing wheels
We have recently performed experiments on Engin-X at ISIS aimed at
measuring intergranular strains in forged and cast magnesium alloy
racing wheels. This will aid prediction of fatigue life and
performance of these components.
(picture courtesy of Dymag)
Author: Sarah
Hainsworth, last updated 26/4/2005.
Disclaimer: Any opinions and
views
expressed in this page are the authors and not those of the University.
