X-Ray Diffraction Measurements for Riveted Joints. The Application of a Novel Methodology

The X-ray diffraction method is the best, widely available, non-destructive measurement method used to determine the residual and load stresses in crystalline materials. This method can be applied without any limitations to flat specimens. Depending on the equipment geometry, the type of material and geometry of the specimen, there are many limitations, restrictions and recommendations which have to be fulfilled to obtain reliable results. This was the reason for working out a methodology for X-ray diffraction stress measurements for riveted specimens.

The first case to analyze is the necessity of choosing an X-ray tube suitable for the specimen material which will give the diffraction peaks in the range of 2Θ angles between 120° and 180°. Afterwards it is crucial to make the best selection of Bragg’s angle 2Θ. In the vast majority of cases the best selection is the possibly biggest 2Θ angle because of the best accuracy of the measurement. However, for example for aluminum alloys (for Cr_Kα radiation), this choice is not so obvious. It is much more convenient to perform measurements not for the highest diffraction angle. The best selection in this case is 2Θ=139,3°, and not 156,7°. Other selections which are necessary to be made before measurements are the collimator diameter, time of exposure, ψ tilts and φ oscillations. The proper selection of these parameters is crucial for the fast and efficient performing of measurements and for obtaining reliable results.

Before performing the measurement, especially in the case of the specimen with complicated geometry (for example in the case of riveted specimens made of aluminum alloys), it is necessary to analyze the results obtained paying special attention to the possibility of the appearing of the rivet head/driven rivet head shadow during the measurement. The work describes differences between the X-ray stress measurement results obtained without any interference and the results received after eliminating the selected diffraction peaks for which the shadow of rivet head/driven rivet head has appeared.