Correlation of Neutron-Based Strain Imaging and Mechanical Behavior of Armor Steel Welds Produced with the Hybrid Laser Arc Welding Process

Published

June 11, 2018

Author(s)

Jeffrey W. Sowards, Daniel S. Hussey, David L. Jacobson, Stan Ream, Paul A. Williams

Abstract

Bragg edge neutron transmission imaging was used to characterize the spatial distribution of thermally induced residual strains in a steel armor plate welded with a hybrid laser arc process. This residual strain distribution was compared to the spatial development of mechanical strain during uniaxial deformation. By correlating the strain measurements of both methods, the failure mechanism was determined in armor welds joined with this process. Weld failure consistently occurred in the subcritical heat-affected zone where mechanical strain accumulation in softened martensitic parent material was superimposed upon the weld region containing the highest residual thermally induced strain.

Citation

Journal of Research (NIST JRES) -

Volume

123

NIST Pub Series

Journal of Research (NIST JRES)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/jres.123.011

Local Download

Keywords

armor steel, Bragg edge, digital image correlation, hybrid laser welding, neutron diffraction, residual strain.

Citation

Sowards, J. , Hussey, D. , Jacobson, D. , Ream, S. and Williams, P. (2018), Correlation of Neutron-Based Strain Imaging and Mechanical Behavior of Armor Steel Welds Produced with the Hybrid Laser Arc Welding Process, Journal of Research (NIST JRES), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/jres.123.011, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=919431 (Accessed October 2, 2025)