Complementary X-ray and neutron strain measurements of a carburized surface

Lattice spacing profiles through a carburized layer in a cylindrical 5120 steel specimen were recorded using X-ray and neutron diffraction. The neutron measurements were performed non destructively, whereas the X-ray measurements employed sequential layer removal by electropolishing. The X-ray measurements provided a base determination of residual stress and microstructure, against which the neutron results were critically compared. Several methods were considered for determining the unstrained lattice parameter variation, necessary for interpretation of the neutron results.