Measuring Residual Stresses in Acrylic Sheets

DSIAC was asked to determine the best way(s) to determine residual stress in different acrylic sheets. DSIAC subject matter experts at the Texas Research Institute Austin compiled a report that summarized relevant publications on different destructive and non-destructive methods to determine residual stresses in an acrylic panel.  Methods to determine non-destructive means to determine residual stress that are explored in the report include synchrotron diffraction (high energy X-ray diffraction), X-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction, ultrasound, digital shearography, and electronic speckle pattern interferometry.  The destructive means to determine residual stress explained include the contour method, center hole drilling, deep hole drilling, ring core technique, Sachs boring technique, and slitting technique.