Estimation of residual stress relaxation in low alloy steel with different hardness during fatigue by in situ X-ray measurement

In situ X-ray stress measurements were conducted to investigate the relaxation of compressive residual stress induced by fine particle peening during fatigue. To quantitatively assess the stability of the compressive residual stress, a concept of relaxation threshold stress was proposed. The relaxation threshold stress, which indicates the stability of the compressive residual stress, showed a direct correlation with specimen hardness. If the combined value of the compressive residual stress and compressive applied stress surpass the relaxation threshold stress, then the compressive residual stress relaxes. The relaxation threshold stress can be used to estimate the relaxation that occurs during fatigue.