The Air Force Manufacturing Technology Laser Peening Initiative

Abstract

Laser peening has been demonstrated to be a unique and valuable method to increase the resistance of aircraft gas turbine engine compressor and fan blades to foreign object damage (FOD) and improve high cycle fatigue (HCF) life. Laser peening is also known as the LaserPeen process (LPP) or laser shock processing (LSP). LaserPeen processing’s high value as a surface enhancement process to mitigate high cycle fatigue failures is driving e fforts to expand its application from gas turbine engines to aircraft structures, land vehicles, weapon systems, and for general industrial use. One of the major impediments to the broad acceptance and use of the LaserPeen process has been high processing costs with relatively low throughput. Great strides are being made to significantly decrease laser peening costs and increase throughput, thanks to three important Air Force ManTech (manufacturing technology) programmes being conducted at LSP Technologies, Inc. (LSPT). Several key issues are being addressed to meet ManTech goals to lower costs and increase throughput, which include the development of production quality laser peening services and equipment and the expansion of the end user base for this technology. Additionally, a fourth ManTech programme is being conducted by Universal Technology Corporation (UTC) in conjunction with LSPT, Pratt & Whitney, and Howmet. The objective of this programme is to demonstrate that expensive wrought turbine engine blades can be replaced with low cost cast blades, which have been LaserPeen processed. SE / S214