NONDESTRUCTIVE MEASUREMENT OF RESIDUAL STRESSES IN METALS AND METAL STRUCTURES,

This report presents a state-of-the-art survey of the nondestructive measurement and evaluation of residual stresses produced in metals and metal structures. The report is concerned primarily with residual stresses produced during the fabrication of structures made of high-strength aluminum alloys. Discussions are presented in four sections which provide the following 1 fundamental information on residual stresses that is needed to understand measurement techniques 2 review of methods of measuring residual stresses, including stress-relaxation techniques, X-ray diffraction technique, the ultrasonic technique, the hardness technique, and cracking technique 3 measurement of residual stresses during fabrication of metal structures methods of measuring residual stresses and typical experimental data are described and 4 selection and use of appropriate measurement techniques and evaluation of results. Author