A magnetic method for the determination of residual stress

A magnetic method for the measurement of residual longitudinal stress in the outer portions of cylindrical bars is developed and applied to nickel and steel. It involves measurement of the reversible effective permeability over a range of frequency of the applied alternating field. Special composites specimens, in which any desired level of residual stress can be produced, serve as idealized test specimens. Magnetic stress measurements made on cold-drawn, machined and quenched rods are compared with measurements by X-ray diffraction and mechanical relaxation (slitting). A combination of magnetic and X-ray measurements yields qualitative information about the stress gradient in the outer portion of a bar. A rapid magnetic-test method, suitable for practical application, is described.