Abstract
A versatile automated system for X-ray stress measurement, using a microcomputer, has been developed on the basis of conventional techniques and the fundamental study on X-ray stress measurement using the Gaussian curve method previously proposed by the author. The simultaneous control of the three stepper motors on the goniometer by three motor controllers allows both rapid measurement and the use of various measuring methods. The most appropriate method for each material is programmable in this system. Residual stress values of a hardened steel were measured by the iso- and side-inclination methods using the fixed time and fixed count methods. They fell within a scatter band of the measured values. The η oscillation method proved to be most useful for the stress measurement of coarse grained steels. The system can also be used for evaluating diffraction line width using the Gaussian curve parameter.
