Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 March 2019
A new method is proposed for evaluating rapidly the diffraction peak broadening by using the standard deviation of a Gaussian function approximating the diffraction peak. This value, called the Gaussian curve parameter (GCF), is given by
The use of the GCP permits rapid and nondestructive measurement of plastic strain and hardness of quenched and tempered steels with an automated X-ray stress analyzer using a personal computer. The GCP increases with increasing hardness of quenched and tempered steels. It also increases with increasing plastic strain by stretching. Furthermore, the GCP can be used for rapidly evaluating hardening of quenched steels.