Residual Stresses Measurement of Quenched Components using Slitting Method

Residual Stress measurement has gained interests among researchers for many years due to its great influence on the structural integrity. Slitting method is one of the destructive techniques that relies on the introduction of an increasing cut to a part containing residual stresses. Similar to all other mechanical strain relief techniques, slitting also suffers from its shortcomings during the measurement procedure. In the present research, slitting method was simulated using finite element analysis. Furthermore, the experimental procedure of the slitting method was carried out. The quenching was employed to induce residual stresses within a sample made of 316L steel. A strain gauge was attached in the correct location and the residual stresses were measured using the compliance coefficients. The experimentally measured stresses were then compared with those predicted using finite element analysis. A very good correlation was observed.