EASI-STRESS

Metallic structures are the backbone in a wide range of industrial sectors e.g. energy, space, aerospace, automotive and metal forming. Metals are, however, not utilised optimally since conservative safety factors are used to mitigate residual stresses known to cause fatigue failure. Using synchrotron x-ray and neutron diffraction techniques, the full 3d stress tensor can be measured within the bulk of a component in a non-destructive manner which is not possible with any other technique. Knowing the actual stress levels and incorporating these into modelling tools will lead to three competitive advantages for companies: 1. Increased lifetime and reduced risk of failure 2. Reduced material usage due to reduced safety factors 3. Reduced time-to-market of new products, materials and processing technologies Diffraction-based techniques have been used for decades in academia but have not yet gained foothold in industry because of a lack of validation, standards and procedures. within the framework of the EASI-STRESS project, the consortium, consisting of large industrial partners and experts from the large facilities and universities bound together by RTOs and a standardisation body, break down the main barriers for industrial use of these strong techniques by 1. Validating the techniques and their accuracy against more widespread (semi)destructive measurement techniques. 2. Developing and implementing protocols and procedures aimed at standardisation for the measurements, in close collaboration with both standardisation bodies and industrial partners to ensure their industrial acceptance. 3. Defining (meta)data formats and software that ensure reproducibility and traceability of the data and enable their incorporation into modelling tools to secure the link between data and reliable end-product. 4. Setting up and validating an industrial test bed service for residual stress characterisation to ensure that all European industries can get a head start on the technology.