ABSTRACT
What does neutron scattering bring to this task? Neutron diffraction is one of several ways to analyse residual stresses in welds. One can use hole drilling with strain gauges, conventional X-ray diffraction, or ultrasonic examination, to name methods in common use. With the exception of ultrasonic examination, these foregoing methods are limited to the evaluation of strain at the surface of welded structures. Neutrons, however, penetrate large depths into a weld non-destructively. The weld structure can be evaluated with spatial resolution less than a millimeter to a depth of many millimeters below the weld surface. With a simple application of neutron residual stress measurement, one can determine the degree and spatial distribution of stress relief following post-weld heat treatment.
