Vibration Stress Relief Treatment of welded high-strength martensitic steel

Abstract

The influence of a vibration stress relief (VSR) treatment on the residual stresses for welded specimens of ultra high-strength steel (ARMOX 500T®) was investigated. For the residual stress measurements X-ray diffraction and magnetic Barkhausen noise analysis (BNA) were utilized. Before and after VSR treatment, a 3D measurement technique was used to control possible deformations. Only small changes in macroscopic residual stresses could be found at the surface of the specimens close to the weld. The BNA measurements showed changes in macroscopic residual stresses; however, no clear tendencies could be seen. Nevertheless, fatigue damage due to the VSR treatment could be found. The changes in residual stresses did not cause macroscopic deformations of the specimens.