Recommendations for the measurement of residual stresses in welded joints by means of X-ray diffraction—results of the WG6-RR test

Abstract

Residual stresses in welded joints are often of extended interest in order to evaluate unexpected failures or distortions. Since the possibilities to calculate residual stresses in welds are still strongly limited, the measurement techniques are still of great importance. Several measurement techniques with particular possibilities and limitations are available today where especially the different diffraction methods are used mostly. The material, weld type, and the size of the components are important for the quality of the results obtained with different methods as well as the environment where the measurements have to be carried out. The paper shall give an overview of the results of a round robin test on the application of XRD on butt welded joints which has been carried out in cooperation of different experienced laboratories. The results show the high reliability of XRD measurements in welds, if the measurements are performed under well-defined boundary conditions. The experiences can be used as a recommendation about useful measurement conditions the expectable quality of the results.