Simulation and Experimental Research on Residual Stress Field of Cemented Carbide YG8 by Laser Shock Processing

Abstract

As an innovative surface treatment technique, laser shock processing (LSP) can induce greater depths of residual stress into material surfaces to improve wear, corrosion and fatigue resistance of metals. LSP’s effects on residual stress field of cemented carbide YG8 are numerically evaluated in this paper. A three-dimensional finite element model is established to simulate and analyse distributions of residual stress field of YG8 specimens after LSP. Taking advantage of this model, influences of LSP parameters including pulse width and power density are analysed. In contrast to the experimental data, results of numerical simulation of residual stress are highly fitted with it and the finite element analysis model used for LSP is validated. As power density and pulse width increases, not only plastically affected depth but surface residual stress can be greatly improved. Besides, stress hole exists on the laser peened surface when power density or pulse width of laser exceeds certain threshold.