Neutron diffraction measurement of residual stresses in electron beam welded low carbon steel

The residual stresses in welded joints are a common cause for breaking down after repeated loading of the joint. The neutron diffraction method for residual stresses measurement is non-destructive and allows measurement at great depth under the surface with a good precision. The aim of this work is to present the results of residual stress measurement via neutron diffraction method of specimens of low carbon steel, which were electron beam welded with different welding speed. The three components of the residual stress tensor were measured. The maximum values are at the component along the weld and closest to the welding seam. The residual stresses depend on the technological parameters of the welding – they decrease with increasing the welding speed. Key words: residual stresses, neutron diffraction, electron beam welding, steel