Determination of Residual Stresses Originated in a Die Process Using the Crack Compliance Method

Nowadays, knowledge on the behavior of mechanical components against external agents is important in order to obtain a better understanding about the failure mechanisms that occur during their lifetime. One of the factors to be taken into consideration, on the nucleation and propagation of cracks, is the effect that a previous loading history might have. This is the case of manufacturing processes, which in currently induce residual stresses that alter the nucleation and propagation of cracks. In the present research, residual stress distribution is evaluated in a mechanical component. It is used as a guide in an assault rifle, which is produced by the Mexican army. The material used to manufacture such guide is a 1018 steel, which is subjected to a die process. The characterization of the residual stress field is performed by the use of the Crack Compliance Method (CCM), which is a destructive method. The entire residual stress field, throughout the cross section of a component is evaluated. In order to get a better understanding of the effect of the die process in the induction of the residual stress field, the evaluation of the field is performed considering two directions (horizontal and vertical). The characterization of residual stress field induced by a particular manufacturing process helps us to understand in a more accurate manner the material behavior during its lifetime service.