Fatigue Life Extension of AA2024 Specimens and Integral Structures by Laser Shock Peening

Abstract

The goal of the present study is to understand the effects of laser shock peening (LSP)-induced residual stresses on the fatigue crack propagation (FCP) behaviour of the commonly used aircraft aluminium alloy AA2024 in T3 heat treatment condition. LSP treatment was performed using a pulsed Nd:YAG laser on compact tensile C(T)50-specimens with a thickness of 2.0 mm. LSP-treated specimens reveal a significant retardation of the fatigue crack propagation. The fatigue crack retardation effect can be correlated with the compressive residual stresses introduced by LSP throughout the entire specimen thickness. A possible application of the LSP process on a component like panel with three welded stringers representing a part of a fuselage structure was performed as well. The skin-stringer AA2024-AA7050 Tjoints were realised through stationary shoulder friction stir welding (SSFSW), a variant of the conventional friction stir welding process. In this relatively new process, the shoulder does not rotate and therefore does not contribute to the heat generation. Consequently, a reduced and more homogeneous heat input leads to a less affected microstructure and better mechanical properties. The efficiency of the LSP process has been demonstrated resulting in an increase of 200 – 400% in fatigue lifetime.