Residual stress can be present in materials even when no external load is applied from "summary" of Stress and Strain by Winthrop Dickinson Means
Residual stress is a phenomenon that can exist in materials without the presence of any external load. This type of stress is often overlooked or misunderstood because it is not caused by any obvious force or pressure. Instead, residual stress is the result of internal forces that have been locked into a material during its manufacturing or processing. These internal forces can arise from a variety of sources, such as uneven cooling rates, phase transformations, or even the presence of impurities in the material. As a result, residual stress can be present in a wide range of materials, including metals, plastics, and ceramics. This hidden stress can have a significant impact on the mechanical properties of a material, affecting its strength, ductility, and even its overall stability. One of the key characteristics of residual stress is that it is often unevenly distributed throughout a material. This means that different regions of the material may be under tension or compression, leading to potential issues such as cracking, warping, or premature failure. In some cases, residual stress can even cause a material to deform or change shape over time, without any external force being applied.- Annealing, or shot peening can be used to reduce or eliminate residual stress in a material, improving its overall quality and durability. By recognizing the presence of residual stress, engineers and designers can make informed decisions about how to best optimize the performance of a material in a given application.
