autofrettage
|au-to-fret-tage|
/ˌɔːtəˈfrɛtɑːʒ/
induce internal compressive stress by self-pressing
Etymology
'autofrettage' originates from French, specifically the word 'autofrettage', where 'auto-' meant 'self' and 'frettage' referred to a 'hooping' or 'pressing' action used in metalworking.
'autofrettage' was adopted into English in the 20th century from the French engineering term 'autofrettage' and entered technical usage in mechanical and materials engineering literature.
Initially, the term described the specific industrial technique of creating hoops or compressive layers by internal pressure; over time it has retained that technical meaning and is now used both as a noun for the process and as a verb for applying the process.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a mechanical-engineering process in which a very high internal pressure is applied to the bore of a thick-walled cylinder or tube to plastically deform the inner layers; when the pressure is removed, beneficial residual compressive stresses remain at the inner surface, improving fatigue life and resistance to crack growth.
The manufacturer used autofrettage on the cylinder liners to increase their fatigue life.
Verb 1
to subject a component (such as a cylinder, tube, or gun barrel) to the autofrettage process.
The engineering team autofrettaged the gun barrel before assembly.
Last updated: 2025/11/25 12:12