Abstract
This paper presents results from an experimental and numerical study about the creation of highly triaxial residual stresses by rapid spray water quenching of solid stainless steel spheres and cylinders and the subsequent change in residual stresses due to creep. Finite element (FE) simulations predicted highly compressive residual stresses around the surface of the specimens and tensile near the centre. Neutron diffraction (ND) was used to measure the internal residual stress distribution in quenched specimens. These measurements were in good agreement with FE predictions. Simulations of creep relaxation and damage accumulation were also carried out in stainless steel specimens which had previously been water quenched and subsequently allowed to thermally age at 550°C for 3200 h.