Residual stress evaluation by neutron diffraction. Some industrial applications and perspectives

Materials and components of technological and industrial interest can present Residual Stresses (RS), that can be generated during the manufacturing process - e. g. extruding, welding, and forging -, or as a consequence of plastic deformations or thermal treatments. When RS add to external loads, they can enhance fatigue processes, earlier inducing failure of the component. Examples of RS determination in industrial applications are reported: the one focuses on AA 6082 alloy extruded samples, the other on a 2,25Cr1Mo ferritic steel welded pipe after thermal treatment. Other examples are shown, successively, concerning particular industrial problems which need to be studied also by adopting the same technique. (R.P.)