Numerical and Experimental Study of the Plasticity Effect on Residual Stress Measurement Using Slitting Method

Residual Stress measurement has gained interests among researchers for many years. 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 suffers from the level of plasticity occurs within the sample while cutting. In the present research, slitting method was simulated using finite element analysis. The correct performance of the slitting method procedure was explored using known residual stress fields. Then, simulations of the quenching process of beam samples were performed for three different temperature levels; 400°C, 600°C and 850°C. The experimental procedures of the slitting method on the quenched samples at these temperatures were then carried out. The influence of three stress levels on the ability of the slitting method was discussed. Interesting results were observed.