ASM Handbook, Vol. 25A

Residual stress can be both an engineering attribute to enhanced component capabilities, and a feature that can result in detrimental component behaviors and unintended consequences. This potential of dual positive or negative impact on engineered components and products is a major factor why understanding and deploying residual stresses in engineering design is so critical. Design and structural analysis engineers must understand the potential of unintended residual stresses and/or understand how to incorporate engineered residual stresses that can enable the component to meet design intent for advanced applications.