--- type: "WebPage" title: "Measurement of residual stresses in the laboratory" description: "You wish to carry out residual stress measurements in your soil masses in the laboratory What are residual stresses? Residual stresses are internal stresses that remain in a material or structure in the absence of any external load (force, pressure,..." resource: "https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-material-testing/measurement-residual-stresses/" tags: ["EN", "pll_69cccd92c4b49"] timestamp: "2026-04-01T08:34:25Z" published: "2026-04-01T08:34:24Z" language: "en" author: "Laure Durieux" --- # Measurement of residual stresses in the laboratory ## You wish to carry out residual stress measurements in your soil masses in the laboratory ### What are residual stresses? Residual stresses are internal stresses that remain in a [material](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-material-testing/) or structure in the absence of any external load (force, pressure, or temperature). They result from inconsistencies in plastic, thermal, or chemical deformations generated during manufacturing processes (forging, welding, machining, [heat treatment](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization/analysis-of-hardened-heat-treatment-on-steel-in-the-laboratory.md), or [additive manufacturing](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/additive-manufacturing-powders.md)). While surface **compressive** stresses are generally beneficial for fatigue resistance, tensile stresses can be critical, promoting **cracking**, stress corrosion cracking, or unexpected dimensional deformations. ### Optimize the performance and lifespan of your flowerbeds Residual stresses from your manufacturing processes (forging, welding, machining, additive manufacturing) directly impact the [fatigue](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/mechanical-laboratory-test/endurance-test-fatigue-testing.md) and [corrosion resistance](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-deposit-contamination/corrosion-resistance-testing.md) of your parts. Our laboratory can help you quantify these stresses and ensure the conformity of your products. ## Our laboratory residual stress measurement solutions ### X-ray Diffraction (XRD): Non-destructive precision Ideal for surface inspection and compression profiling after shot peening. - **Nature**: non-destructive on the surface, semi-destructive for deeper profiles. - **Capabilities**: analysis from a few microns to several millimeters deep (via electrochemical polishing). - **Materials**: [steels](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-of-analysis-and-expertise-of-steels.md), [aluminum alloys](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-aluminum-alloys.md), [nickel](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-nickel-alloys.md), [titanium](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-titanium-alloys.md), and [ceramics](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-material-testing/laboratory-ceramic-testing/). - **Standard**: compliant with **NF EN 15305**. ### Incremental hole method: rapid versatility An economical solution for obtaining deep stress profiles on a wide range of materials. - **Principle**: stress relaxation via micro-drilling (Ø 1.8 mm) combined with strain gauge acquisition. - **Advantages**: high-precision automated equipment enabling rapid measurements. - **Standard**: compliant with ASTM E837. ### Contour method: the complete mapping The ultimate technique for visualizing stress conditions across the entire cross-section of a solid part. - **Principle**: wire electrical discharge machining (EDM) followed by strain measurement using profilometry and finite element analysis. - **Key advantages**: enables the identification of core tensile stresses and inconsistencies across thick material. ## The FILAB laboratory assists you in measuring residual constraints in the laboratory ### The objectives of residual stress measurement Product control and qualification Improving sizing Optimization of manufacturing processes Maintenance forecasts ### Materials eligible for residual stress measurement Metallic alloys The majority of our work involves metals subjected to severe manufacturing constraints: - Steels and cast irons: construction steels  [stainless steels](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-of-your-stainless-steels-according-to-nf-en-10088-standards.md), tool steels (after heat treatment, machining, or welding). - Aluminum alloys: widely used in the [aerospace industry](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analysis-aeronautics-aerospace.md) for fuselage structures and engine parts. - Nickel alloys and [superalloys](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/superalloy-analysis-laboratory.md): essential for turbine components ([Inconel](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-inconel-metals.md), [Hastelloy](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/analysis-hastelloy-x-nickel-alloy.md)) subjected to high temperatures. - Titanium alloys: materials used in the [medical device](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analysis-medical-devices.md) and aerospace sectors. - [Copper](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-copper-alloys.md) and [magnesium](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/chemical-analysis-laboratory/analysis-and-determination-of-magnesium.md) alloys. Specific and advanced materials Thanks to the complementary nature of our methods (particularly X-ray Diffraction and Contour), we work on: - **Technical ceramics**: to validate sintering or deposition processes. Crystalline and semi-crystalline materials: the XRD method is particularly effective on these structures. - **Composites**: for analyzing firing or assembly stresses (primarily using the hole or contour method). ### Why choose FILAB for laboratory residual stress measurement - [**Safran Group Qualification**](https://filab.fr/en/about-us/accreditations-en/laboratory-safran-approved.md): FILAB has obtained Laboratory Qualification from the Safran Group under procedures GRP-0087, GRM-0123, and TTS-MOP-004. This qualification is regularly renewed following audits conducted by Safran at our facilities, guaranteeing the highest level of standards. - **Expertise of Doctors and Engineers**: A team specializing in metallurgy and mechanics to interpret your results and support you in optimizing your manufacturing processes. - **Personalized suppor**t: from defining specifications to data analysis, ensuring real value from your tests. ## Our FAQ Why measure residual stresses? Residual stress measurement allows us to: - understand the origin of deformation or cracking - improve the lifespan of parts qualify or optimize a manufacturing process - validate a heat treatment or surface treatment - ensure the reliability of a component What is the most commonly used method for measuring residual stresses? X-ray diffraction (XRD) is the most commonly used method in industry. It allows for the measurement of residual stresses at the surface of crystalline materials by analyzing the deformations of the crystal lattice. This technique is particularly well-suited for: - steels - aluminum alloys - titanium alloys - superalloys. Which industrial processes generate residual constraints? Many industrial processes can generate residual stresses, including: - welding - machining - heat treatment - forming - coating deposition - mechanical surface treatments (shot blasting, roller burnishing). In which industrial sectors is the measurement of residual stresses essential? Residual stress measurement is particularly important in sectors where component reliability is critical: - aerospace - nuclear - medical devices - automotive - energy - railway. Can residual stresses cause cracks? Yes. High residual stresses, particularly tensile stresses, can promote the development of: - cracks - stress corrosion - premature failure - part deformations. This is why measuring these stresses is essential during failure analysis or process qualification. When should a residual stress measurement be performed? An analysis can be performed in several situations: - validation of a manufacturing process - qualification of a heat treatment - development of a new material - investigation of an industrial failure - optimization of the fatigue life of a component How to get a quote from FILAB? To obtain a quote, you can contact our team via our contact form, by phone, or by email. Simply tell us your requirements (type of material, desired analysis, applicable standards, urgency, quantity of samples, etc.). We will then send you a personalized technical and pricing proposal within 24-48 hours. What is the typical duration of the analysis? Turnaround times vary depending on the nature of the analysis and the complexity of the expert assessment project. However, FILAB is committed to providing fast turnaround times tailored to your industrial constraints and urgent needs.