TEXTURE, STRAIN AND PRECIPITATES

Neutron scattering methods are powerful tools to study service related changes in the microstructure which results in the deterioration of the mechanical properties. The high penetration depth offers the possibility of non-destructive investigations. Texture analysis gives information about the history of the microstructure in the material. The estimation of the strain distribution in a component detects plastic deformed location and critical positions for crack initiation and crack growth. Investigations of precipitates increase the knowledge about the structural reasons of some hardening and embrittlement processes.