Team
The ISIS Materials Engineering Programme is concerned with research into residual stresses in engineering components, as well as fundamental studies of the thermomechanical properties of engineering-relevant materials.
Residual stresses are the stresses which are "frozen in" to materials and components even when no in-service loads are applied. In many structural engineering applications, is important to account for and control these stresses. We use neutrons to probe these stresses non-destructively, deep within the bulk of engineering components and materials. Typically the measurements influence the development of novel processing technologies and new structural materials. For example, work in the following areas has been carried out at ISIS:
Aerospace:
- Novel joining methods (e.g. friction welding methods)
- Surface treatments (e.g. laser peening)
- Composite reinforcements
- Fatigue of welded aerospace components
Power generation:
- Structural integrity of steam pipework and pressure vessels
- Microstress evaluation in nuclear alloys
Transport:
- Residual stresses and wear in railway rails and wheels
- Fatigue of magnesium racing wheels
- Welded ship superstructures
Properties of novel materials:
- Shape memory alloys
- Ferroelectrics
- Ultra high strength steels
- High temperature superalloys
- Nanocomposites
