Measurement and modelling of residual stresses in straightened commercial eutectoid steel rods

Neutron strain scanning measurements on a eutectoid steel rod that has been subjected to standard industrial coiling and straightening operations are presented. Strains were determined non-destructively using two different diffractometers, one at a steady-state neutron source and the other at a pulsed spallation neutron source, with measurements made in both the ferrite and cementite components of the pearlitic microstructure. The residual stress state is explained in terms of a simplified analytical model for a two-phase material, which takes into account the successive loading operations contributing to residual stress. The results show that residual stresses generated by bending–straightening operations are significant and are likely to play an important role in the mechanical properties of the final wires.