Speaker
Description
Understanding the behaviour of engineering materials under complex loading conditions requires experimental systems capable of reproducing realistic mechanical states while allowing the evolution of internal features to be investigated. Neutron imaging and diffraction are powerful complementary techniques for studying deformation, strain development, and damage mechanisms in bulk materials. Their application under mechanical loading requires dedicated sample environments that combine high load capacity with compatibility with neutron instruments.
This work presents the design and construction of a compact rotation stress rig developed for in situ neutron imaging and diffraction experiments at the European Spallation Source (ESS). The rig has been designed to investigate materials subjected to combined tensile and torsional loading, with the possibility of applying axial force and torque independently, simultaneously, or in different loading sequences. Continuous rotation of the specimen during loading enables future imaging experiments, including neutron tomography, under controlled mechanical conditions.
The system can apply axial loads up to 50 kN and torques up to 5 kNm while maintaining continuous 360° rotation. Particular attention has been given to the constraints imposed by neutron instrumentation, including limited available space, portability, and integration with the ESS Sample Environment System. The complete assembly has a mass below 50 kg, allowing installation and handling by two operators. Aluminium has been selected for most components to reduce neutron activation, while stainless steel is used only for highly loaded elements where additional mechanical strength is required.
The rig has been manufactured and assembled and is ready for commissioning at ESS. The developed design provides a flexible platform for future neutron imaging and diffraction experiments aimed at studying deformation and fracture processes in engineering materials under complex mechanical loading.
Key Words
Sample-environment, Imaging, Diffraction, Tomography, Materials, Stress, Torsion
| Other | Sample Environment |
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