Residualbelastungen

Residualbelastungen, often translated as residual loads or residual stresses, refers to stresses that remain within a material or structure after all external forces have been removed. These internal stresses arise from various manufacturing processes, such as welding, casting, machining, heat treatment, or even during assembly. They can also be induced by previous mechanical loading or environmental factors.

The presence of residualbelastungen is not inherently negative. In some cases, controlled residual stresses can be beneficial, increasing a component's fatigue life or resistance to fracture. For example, shot peening introduces compressive residual stresses on a surface, which can protect against crack initiation. However, uncontrolled or excessive residual stresses can be detrimental. Tensile residual stresses can reduce the load-carrying capacity of a structure, make it more susceptible to fatigue failure, or lead to premature cracking, especially in the presence of corrosive environments (stress corrosion cracking).

Identifying and managing residualbelastungen is crucial in many engineering disciplines, including mechanical engineering, civil engineering, and materials science. Techniques like X-ray diffraction, hole drilling, or ultrasonic methods are used to measure residual stresses. Depending on the application and the magnitude and sign of the residual stresses, specific treatments might be applied to reduce them, such as annealing or stress relieving heat treatments. Understanding the origin and impact of residualbelastungen is essential for ensuring the safety, reliability, and longevity of manufactured components and structures.