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Residual stress measurements are important in many areas of engineering research from large metallic components in aeroengines, through complex alloys to non-metallic composites. X-ray powder diffraction can be used to produced strain distribution maps in these components to high spatial resolution. The incredible brightness of the synchrotron source, coupled with the high photon energy, allows pentetration depths of up to 20 mm of steel and 100 mm of aluminium to be probed. By performing Energy Dispersive X-ray Diffraction (EDXD) experiments, complex geometries can be investigated in three dimensions. The results obtained can be used directly or to validate computational models.
Even though X-ray sources are widely available in home laboratories, the synchrotron provides a unique environment and unmatched features. Users benefit from a significant increase in data quality sub-second collection speeds per scan point and small beam sizes for enhanced spatial resolution. Often the synchrotron can be used for otherwise intractable sampl
Types of samples which can be studied range from large engineered components such as fan blades from aero-engines through to new composite materials.
Applications include:
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Rolls-Royce apply a surface treatment to the base of the fan blades on some of their Trent engines to provide additional integrity margins by reducing the potential for initiation and propagation of cracks. During development of one of their latest turbofan engines, the Trent 1000, researchers from Rolls-Royce needed a material characterisation method so that they could assess the effectiveness of the local surface treatments.
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The Problem
Luxfer Gas Cylinders have been manufacturing high-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and life-support cylinders for fire-fighters and first-responders since the early 1970s. Cylinders are required to be increasingly lightweight, efficient and safe storage solutions. Advanced carbon fibre-wrapped aluminium construction methods and a fabrication process called autofrettage aim to reduce weight and increase maximum working pressures of cylinders. However, since cylinders can be exposed to demanding conditions, it is critical that their structural integrity be maintained.
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