Residual stresses in roller-expanded thin tubes

The residual-stress distribution of through-the-wall thickness in the roller-expanded region of thin-walled incoloy-800 Fe−Ni−Cr alloy tubing was determined. Such tubes are commonly used in the fabrication of steam generators for nuclear-power stations. For the present study, the test specimens consisted of short lengths of tubing which were roller-expanded into tubesheet simulation blocks. Some of the specimens were then heat treated. The measurement method involved the installation of strain-gage rosette strips on the inner tube wall. Strain measurements were first taken after the removal of the tubesheet simulation block. Residual stresses were then released by progressive chemical etching of the outer tube wall. In some cases the inner tube wall was etched instead and this required the removal of the inner strain-gage strip and its replacement by one attached to the outer wall. A calculation procedure based on the Sachs approach, first proposed for straight unrolled tubes, was used for determining the residual-stress distribution in the vicinity of the roller-expanded zone and through-the-wall thickness. Surface residual stresses of the order of 250 MPa were determined in the as-received specimens. Residual stresses in the stress-relieved heat-treated specimens were generally lower by about 40 percent. Contact stresses were nearly eliminated by the heat-treating process. The residual stresses in the various specimens of the same type compared to within a standard deviation of 35 MPa.