Residual stress measurements on a cut-welded Al-Ti plate using neutron diffraction techniques

The nature and effect of residual stress on cut-weld Al-Ti plane disc was studied by means of neutron diffraction techniques. The study was extended from the parent aluminium-manganese-magnesium AA3003 alloy to the weld Al-Ti interface and then to the parent commercially pure titanium alloy. For this study, pulse neutron diffraction technique was applied. The residual stress level resulted practically weak within the two parent materials. Yet, it was found that the mean strain level suddenly increased in correspondence to the diffusion affected zone due to the cut-welding process. Microstructure diffusion processes within a narrow weld interface zone were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrum techniques.