The non-destructive estimation of the superficial mechanical properties ofcomponents in the INCONEL 600 alloy by X-ray diffraction peak width

INCONEL 600 alloy is largely used as nuclear power center components. The n on-destructive determination of the superficial mechanical proprieties is i ndispensable for the qualification of the fabrication process and for the s ervice duration estimation in aggressive environment. X-ray diffraction (XR D) technique is non-destructive and can be used to determine microscopic in ternal stresses from the broadening of the XRD peaks. The average magnitude of XRD peak broadening is related directly to the hardness, the elastic li mit or degree of cold work of the material which can be used as a means of quantifying the surface mechanical properties. With an empirical relationsh ip between the {311} XRD peak width and the conventional mechanical proprie ties (hardness, elastic limit, hard work degree) for INCONEL 600 alloy, the superficial mechanical characteristics can be estimated from diffraction p eak width for just finished parts or for maintenance pieces. Several TEM ob servations are also realized for microstructure study. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sc ience S.A. All rights reserved.