Abstract Residual stresses (RS) in pipes welded by a fully automated friction welding process, called FRIEX, are investigated using the contour method (CM) and the X-ray diffraction method (XRD). Samples were produced using a self-developed equipment, which is based on the interaction between a consumable intermediate rotary ring and two stationary pipe sections, by varying the loading rate applied during the welding of API 5L B pipes with an API X65 ring. Mechanical and metallurgical properties were locally analyzed through metallography and microflat tensile tests. RS measured by XRD and CM showed comparable values; tensile zones were found in the pipe HAZ and compressive stresses were found in its adjacent areas. Tensile RS of approximately half the local yield strength of the components were also found, mostly on the internal surface, and their values decrease with increasing welding loads. Microflat tensile tests showed an increase in yield strength of pipe TMAZ and HAZ, with a clear influence of loading rates.

Resonant vibration residual stress relief (R-VSR) is an alternative method to post-weld heat treatments (PWHT) which is said to lead to less distortion and lower costs. The method of superposition of cyclic stresses and residual stresses, which can lead to localized yielding of the material, dislocation movement and subsequent stress relief. This article aims at investigating the efficiency of resonant vibration in the relief of residual stresses in welded joints of HSLA Domex700 steel sheets. Mechanical stress relief was compared to a common PWHT, and stress levels were then quantified through X-ray diffraction. Samples were also characterized by CTOD fracture toughness tests, fractographic analysis and tensile tests. Results indicate that the mechanical method was significantly less effective in relieving stresses in comparison with the PWHT, but led to apparent improvements in fracture toughness and in tensile tests. FWHM values indicated significant distortion for PWHT and less distortion for R-VSR.

The residual stress state of a mechanical component is an important factor in its production planning and in estimates of its lifecycle since it can be responsible for geometric distortions and degradation of fatigue properties. Therefore, the development of reliable methods for non-destructively quantifying these stresses remains in the interest of most manufacturing industries; Barkhausen magnetic noise measurements have been investigated in several applications and remains a viable option. However, its effective implementation has occurred mostly in components with simple geometries and insignificant microstructural gradients; even in these cases, successful industrial adoption of the method depends on previous calibration with samples that are often difficult and costly to prepare and validate. This work aims at investigating the capability of the method of characterizing the residual stress state in a simple but generally useful application: samples of hot-rolled steel sheets collected at two different stages of processing in an industrial mechanical conformation and heat treatment plant. In this analysis Barkhausen noise measurements were compared to X-ray diffraction results, and statistical analysis tools were used to correlate the results.