Residual stress measurement on welded specimen by neutron diffraction

Abstract Residual stress is generated in the structures as a result of irregular elastic–plastic deformation during fabrication processes such as welding, heat treatment, and mechanical processing. There are several factors attributed to the origin of residual stresses, tensile or compressive. The stresses can be determined by destructive ways or non-destructive ways by using X-ray or neutron diffraction. This paper presents the application of neutron diffraction technique to measure residual stress distribution in the welded stainless steel plate. T-type and a double V butt joint welded stainless steel specimens were utilized to study the application of neutron diffraction to residual stress measurement.