The Practical Use of X-ray Techniques

Abstract

In this chapter, we consider the various ways to make measurements of residual stresses on real parts, either in an ordinary x-ray laboratory (Sect. 7.2) to which such samples may be brought occasionally, in a factory where frequent inspection is required, or in the field, for example at large construction sites, on oil-rigs or pipelines or power stations, or for parts which are too large for a commercial diffractometer. There are several units now available for such situations, but this equipment is new and can be expected to change frequently. Therefore we prefer here to provide a list of ideal requirements for the software and hardware (Sect. 7.3), against which the reader can examine what is available commercially, emphasizing his own priorities in these lists. (Also, it is always advisable to contact several users of such equipment, as well as the supplier.) We will then briefly describe the available equipment at this writing (Sect. 7.4), and conclude with a detailed examination of several examples of the use of stress measurements in such situations (Sect. 7.5).