A Allen, C Andreani, M T Hutchings and C G Windsor, Measurement of internal stress within bulk materials using neutron diffraction NDT International, October 249-254,1981.

 

A visit to the Welding Institute in 1980 convinced Windsor of the commercial importance of residual stress measurement, and he became determined to develop a neutron diffraction technique. From his experience in fitting diffraction patterns he knew that the key to success was the use of large angles. He designed the "double back scattering diffractometer" which used the same sample crystal and reflecting plane, say iron 220 planes, for both monochromator and specimen. He also designed "the vice", a very cheap, but effective device for applying a known strain to a large specimen. By the following summer the method was proved and this first publication in print. The field has moved from strength to strength with most neutron scattering centres having teams in the field, many with dedicated instruments. The Harwell team have maintained a leading world role, with their publication of the standard reference [109], their recent publication of the first book of the subject following the successful NATO conference in Oxford in 1991[148, 149], and a succession of industrial contracts.