Residual Stress in Steel Plate

[chetk43]

Does anyone know if there is a way of cutting hot rolled steel plate to eliminate Residual Stress?
Like if I was to plasma cut a part out by stitching it first, and then torch the stitches out, would that part be less deformed, than if I were to just cut it out to begin with?

we were cutting 40'-8" I-beams, to make T- beams, my boss insisted that I stitch it starting from the center and working my out to the ends, in doing this he said that the each half would deform less than if I were to start from one end and work towards the other end. I thought he was crazy!
the stress in that I-beam from the rolling process is there and will be evident after you split it apart no matter how you cut it was my thought, am I wrong or what? Any truth to this

 

[redpicker]

I think your boss is saying that you will induce less distortion by making small cuts, say 1" long, then moving to another spot to let the material around the cut you just made cool. I know this method is used in making welds in thin sheet, say in automotive repair, which may be where you boss is getting the idea from.

Will it reduce distortion? I don't know, but if it was my boss, I'd do it the way he says so that even if it doesn't do any good, it's not my fault.

rp

 

[MikeMet]

If you want to cut anything without inducing residual stress that cause distortion, try water jet cutting. May companies do water jet cutting in the field or shop.

 

[chetk43]

Yeah i do everything he tells me! If he tells me to jump, i ask how high!
i did it excactly how he told me.
on tht 40' beem there was 5 - 1 inch stitches left. 4 cuts were 119 inches long.