RESIDUAL STRESS MEASUREMENT IN HEAT TREATED CYLINDRICAL COMPONENTS

RESIDUAL STRESS MEASUREMENT IN HEAT TREATED CYLINDRICAL COMPONENTS

 

M. Belassel¹, J. Pineault¹, M. Brauss²

¹ Proto Manufacturing Ltd., 6150, Morton Industrial Parkway, LaSalle, Ontario, Canada

² Proto Manufacturing Inc., 12350 Universal Dr., Taylor, Michigan, USA

 

ABSTRACT

Heat treatment processes can generate steep residual stress (RS) gradients and plastic deformation in metal components primarily due to differential cooling, among other factors.  The magnitude of residual stresses generated, and how quickly they vary spatially, will depend upon the material itself and the precise temperature gradients introduced during the heat treatment process.  X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques can be used to characterize residual stresses, as well as microstructural characteristics, including dislocation density and particle size in heat treated components.  Carbon steel and aluminum rods were heat treated, quenched and characterized using these methods.  Residual stress measurements were performed via XRD using the Sin²y technique and microstructural characterization was done using Williamson-Hall (WH) analysis.  Measurements were carried out both at the surface and through depth via electropolishing.  The results indicate triaxial stress gradients exist in all materials investigated, with concomitant varying microstructural characteristics.