Comparison of neutron diffraction residual stress measurements of steel welded repairs with current fitness-for-purpose assessments

In this research the neutron diffraction technique was used to investigate the residual stress distributions in carbon steel components with weld repairs. Two full penetration weld repairs were studied using a) the stringer bead and b) the temper bead weld techniques in 25 mm thick plate. The welds were not post weld heat treated. The focus of the measurements is on the values of the sub-surface and through-thickness strain/stress variation near the middle of the weld and the toe. The experimental results showed that both processes had high residual stresses particularly through the thickness. The measurements were compared with current fitness-for-purpose approaches, such as BS7910 and R6 showing that these approaches underestimated and overestimated the stresses in various regions.