Laser Shock Peening Research Articles

Investigation of High-Temperature Recovery and Recrystallization Behavior in a Single Crystal Ni-Based Superalloy Treated with Shot Peening and Laser Peening

Investigation of High-Temperature Recovery and Recrystallization Behavior in a Single Crystal Ni-Based Superalloy Treated with Shot Peening and Laser Peening

Influence of material orientation, loading angle, and single-shot repetition of laser shock peening on surface roughness properties

Titanium alloy Ti6Al4V is extensively utilized in biomedical applications due to its excellent biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, and mechanical properties. The design of dental implant surface textures has changed throughout time to address issues with oral rehabilitation in both healthy and damaged bones. The longevity of an implant is significantly impacted by surface roughness. This study examines the use of laser shock peening (LSP) as a surface modification technique to improve the mechanical properties of implants. A numerical model is developed using the commercial finite elements software in ABAQUS/Explicit for simulating dynamic conditions. The aim of the study is to develop surface roughness parameters using computational methods such as studies have not yet been contemplated. The single shot angle, shot repeat, time, material orientation, and laser power are applied for the first time simultaneously to evaluate the impact of material orientation and loading angles on surface roughness parameters. The study showed that the developed computational model’s compressive residual stress was −578.45 MPa, while the experimental samples were −592.18 MPa. Consequently, the difference between the computational and experimental results was 2.32%. Without regard to material orientation or angle, the compressive residual stress of the samples under examination was found to be −578.450 MPa after three repetitions and to decreased to −1.620 MPa after four. These results demonstrate that by varying the material orientation and loading angle, the Ra value may be increased four times.

Study on surface and mechanical properties of stainless steel plates with multiple shot peening and laser peening without coating

Study on surface and mechanical properties of stainless steel plates with multiple shot peening and laser peening without coating

Effects of residual stress on the isothermal tensile behavior of nanocrystalline superelastic NiTi shape memory alloy

The residual stress greatly affects the mechanical behavior of a material. In this work, the effect of residual stress on the isothermal tensile behavior of a NiTi shape memory alloy is studied. The focused ion beam and digital image correlation are combined to measure the two-dimensional residual stress in nanocrystalline NiTi plates processed with prestrain laser shock peening. A four-point bending experiment verified the accuracy of this measurement method. The FIB-DIC method is an attractive tool for measuring the two-dimensional residual stress in phase transition nanocrystalline materials. The internal residual stress significantly decreases the phase transition stress, and the mechanism is studied via finite element and theoretical analyses. This work implies that the mechanical behavior of NiTi shape memory alloys can be tailored via residual stress engineering.

Nano gradient structuring at Ti-6Al-4V surface induced by ultrashort-pulse laser peening

We have successfully fabricated gradient micro/nano structuring on the surface top layers of Ti-6Al-4V alloy using a shock-peening technique facilitated by femtosecond and picosecond laser pulses, without the need for coatings or confinement. These micro/nano structures encompass ultrafine grains, extensive subgrain boundaries, hierarchical nanotwins, and complex dislocation morphologies. The ultrafine grains, ranging in size from hundreds of nanometers to a few micrometers, were predominantly located in the grain-refined regions, whereas the micro/nano dislocation structures were predominantly found in regions of severe plastic deformation. These observations suggest a promising avenue for achieving high-precision gradient structuring in the field of metallic surface engineering.

Double-pulse laser peening as a surface enhancement technology

In this paper, we discuss double-pulse laser peening (DPLP) as surface enhancement technology. Although single-pulse laser peening (SPLP) has yielded excellent results across various applications, its processing performance and efficiency are limited. The DPLP technique involves two laser pulses with a controlled irradiation interval and intensity, enhancing laser absorption through the plasma plume and generating high-amplitude laser-induced shock waves. This study involved conducting DPLP experiments on stainless steel, comparing the outcomes with those of conventional SPLP to assess DPLP’s functionality. After the initial prepulse irradiation, the subsequent main pulse was timed and irradiated onto the stainless steel. We evaluated the surface hardness to ascertain the impact of laser peening. The findings indicated that the surface hardness achieved with DPLP was up to 64% greater than that with SPLP. Additionally, the surface hardness achieved through DPLP depended on the delay time between the pulses and the intensity of the initial prepulse. These findings suggest that DPLP can significantly enhance surface hardness, providing a potential pathway for improving material performance in various industrial applications. Furthermore, simulation experiments of DPLP were performed using a one-dimensional simulation code that calculates the laser-matter interaction during the peening process. The pressure profiles generated by the simulation closely matched the experimentally derived hardness profiles, confirming the simulation’s ability to predict the mechanical effects induced by DPLP on the target sample and assist in further optimization of the DPLP process.

Effect of Surface Roughness and Compressive Residual Stress on the Fatigue Performance of TC4 Titanium Alloy Subjected to Laser Shock Wave Planishing

ABSTRACTThe milled surface of TC4 titanium alloy was treated by laser shock peening (LSP) and laser shock wave planishing (LSWP) to investigate the effect of compressive residual stress (CRS) and surface roughness (SR) on the vibration fatigue performance. The results demonstrate that although the amplitude of CRS induced by LSWP is lower than that of LSPed specimens, the vibration fatigue life of LSWPed specimens increased by 63.78% due to a significant reduction in SR from Sa 14.1 μm to Sa 4.21 μm. When the SR is low, increasing the amplitude of CRS is more advantageous to enhance fatigue life. The fractographic analysis further confirmed that compared with LSPed and T0.2‐LSWPed specimens, T0.1‐LSWPed specimens have considerably less initial fatigue crack initiation, and the crack initiation location is deeper. The fatigue striation spacing of T0.1‐LSWPed specimens is the smallest (0.25 μm), greatly lowering the fatigue crack growth rate.

Numerical investigation of the effect of laser peen forming process parameters on 1060 aluminium sheets under preload

Abstract Laser peen forming process changes the shape of the metal sheet or plate by plastic deformation caused by laser induced mechanical shock wave. The bending behavior of 1060 aluminium sheets under laser peen forming (LPF) are studied numerically taking into account the various laser peening process parameters for two distinct cases; with and without preload. Modal analysis has been performed on 3D finite element model (FEM) to stop post-shock oscillations. A time-dependent and space-dependent pressure distribution is applied to the laser-peened area along with preload at the free end. The numerical comparison of bending angles and surface profile of 1060 aluminium sheets under laser peen forming are studied for both the cases, with and without preload. Preloading provides better surface profile for same bending angle for a no laser shock overlap.

Effect of Protective Coating Layer and Overlapping Factor on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Rene-80 Ni-Based Superalloy in Laser Shock Peening Process

Effect of Protective Coating Layer and Overlapping Factor on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Rene-80 Ni-Based Superalloy in Laser Shock Peening Process

Study on the effects of laser shock peening on the microstructure and properties of 17-7PH stainless steel

To investigate the surface integrity of 17-7PH stainless steel welded structural components used in aviation, laser shock peening (LSP) with different power densities was applied to stainless steel welded joints. The microstructural morphology, structural features, full-width at half-maximum, microhardness, and surface roughness of the stainless steel welded joint specimens before and after LSP were characterized and measured using SEM, TEM, XRD, a microhardness tester, and a high-resolution confocal microscope. The effects of different laser power densities on the microstructure and properties of the stainless steel welded joints were explored. Results indicate that the stainless steel welded joints exhibit a typical BCC phase. Laser shock peening promotes grain refinement in the welded joints, leading to the phase transformation of residual austenite into martensite. The surface roughness of the specimen is positively correlated with laser power density. At a power density of 5.17 GW/cm2, the surface roughness increased to 1.919 μm, which is 117.08% higher than that of the non-peened specimen. The microhardness of the specimens shows a decreasing trend with increasing power density. When the power density is 2.79 GW/cm2, the microhardness of the specimen significantly increases to 462.94 HV0.5, which is 22.26% higher than that of the non-peened specimen.

Parameter Optimization for Laser Peen Forming on 6005A-T6 Aluminum Alloy Plates to Enhance the Constrained Deformation of Integral Stiffened Plates.

Multiscale parameter optimization for laser peen forming (LPF) on 6005A-T6 aluminum alloy plates was conducted through a combination of simulation and experimentation. By obtaining the optimal parameter, this study aims to explore the constrained deformation and forming laws of the integral stiffened plates. Detailed descriptions were provided regarding the dynamic response process and transient behavior of aluminum alloy plates under ultrahigh strain rates, along with an in-depth analysis of the stress evolution. The results reveal that laser beam diameter and laser beam energy can achieve large range forming, while the number of tracks facilitates the precise deformation adjustment. During the 12-track LPF process, there is an overall upward trend in deformation values accompanied by a dynamic increase in the bend curvature. After static relaxation, the deformation value recovers to 55.2% of the final bending curvature. The chord direction scanning of stiffened plates exhibits a larger bending curvature, indicating its greater forming capacity for large-sized single unfolding direction formation; whereas, the unfolding direction scanning of stiffened plates excels in achieving efficient integrated two-way forming.

Effect of the Absorption Layer on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of M50 Steel by Laser Shock Peening

Effect of the Absorption Layer on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of M50 Steel by Laser Shock Peening

Effect of laser shock peening on the surface integrity and fretting fatigue properties of high-strength titanium alloy TC21

High-strength titanium alloy TC21 is often used to make aircraft load-bearing components in the aviation field. However, due to vibration, load-bearing components often suffer from fretting fatigue (FF), which greatly reduces their actual service life. Nowadays, laser shock peening (LSP) is being recognized as an effective strengthening process for many materials. Therefore, in this study, the effectiveness of LSP on the strengthening of high-strength titanium alloy TC21 is studied, in terms of surface integrity and FF properties. TC21 fretting specimens and tests are designed. Before fretting tests, the specimens are processed by LSP with varying laser pulse energies, number of shocks and overlap rate, and their surface integrity and FF properties are analyzed. It is found that the greater the laser pulse energy and number of shocks, the higher the surface hardness and compressive residual stress, the more the grain refinement, the greater the improvement in FF life. Under 32J-50%-T1, the FF life is improved by 191.3% compared with BM. But the overlap rate has little effect on surface integrity and FF life. Meanwhile, there forms amorphous structures, which tended to be transformed into nanograins during fretting process. This transformation is helpful for prolonging FF life due to its action of energy absorption. This study reveals the strengthening mechanism of LSP on TC21 and its effect on the FF properties of TC21 specimens.

Application of impact-based and laser-based surface severe plastic deformation methods on additively manufactured 316L: Microstructure, tensile and fatigue behaviors

Applying post-processing methods can play a crucial role in addressing defects inherent in the as-built state of additively manufactured materials. This study comprehensively examined the effects of various post-processing techniques, including surface severe plastic deformation (SSPD) methods such as severe shot peening (SSP), ultrasonic shot peening (USP), ultrasonic nanocrystal surface modification (UNSM), and laser shock peening (LSP), combined with stress relieving (SR) on the tensile properties and fatigue behavior of laser powder bed fusion (LB-PBF) stainless steel AISI 316L specimens. Experimental characterization was carried out, focusing on microstructure, porosity, surface texture, hardness, residual stresses, monotonic tensile properties, and rotating bending fatigue behavior. The results demonstrated an excellent combination of enhanced strength and ductility after applying SR and SSPD treatments. Additionally, the post-processing methods significantly improved fatigue behavior by increasing strength, closing subsurface pores, surface layer nanocrystallization and hardening, inducing compressive residual stresses, and modifying the surface texture. Notably, in the high-cycle fatigue regime at the lowest stress amplitude, the SR + UNSM treated specimens exhibited the greatest improvement in fatigue life, followed by SR + USP, SR + SSP, SR + LSP, and SR, when compared to the as-built state.

Subsurface hardening of Al irradiated with ultrafast infrared laser

The effect of femtosecond laser shock peening on a model Al-0.3Mn alloy was investigated experimentally and numerically by molecular dynamics. Micro-diffraction experiments performed at synchrotron source revealed the depth profiles of the residual stress and the stored energy of dislocations, a measure of local plasticity. The depth of the maximum compressive stress did not coincide with that of the maximum dislocation energy, which was found at the surface. The interaction between the laser and the metal was simulated with LAMMPS using a two-temperature molecular dynamics package. The model accurately described the equation of state of aluminum and showed nearly equal resolved shear stresses on all slip systems at the wavefront. The dislocation density at a depth of 1 μm, predicted by the Meyers' model [1], was higher than the experimental data, suggesting possible recovery due to the increased temperature of the sample after repeated shock loading.

Enhancing corrosion resistance of lightweight metal alloys through laser shock peening

In this study, we investigated the effects of laser shock peening (LSP) on the corrosion resistance of lightweight metal alloys, specifically AA6061 and AZ31. LSP was performed underwater, using a nanosecond pulse laser and without using a protective coating or layer on the workpiece. The corrosion behaviors of these alloys were analyzed through electrochemical tests, including open circuit potential, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and potentiodynamic polarization measurements. The results demonstrated that LSP significantly improved the polarization resistance, and higher laser power intensities led to increased corrosion resistance and reduced corrosion rates. This enhancement in anti-corrosion performance is attributed to the formation of a protective oxide layer on the surface, acting as a barrier against corrosion. The findings underscore the potential of laser surface treatment as a viable technique for enhancing the corrosion resistance of lightweight metal alloys.

Tribological behavior and surface characteristics of severe surface plastic deformed as-cast and 3D-printed SS316L using LSP

The effect of laser shock peening (LSP) on as-cast and three-dimensional (3D)-printed SS316L alloys was studied. The LSP process was found more dominant than the 3D-printing technique over as-cast alloy steel for enhancing the properties. The process of laser shock peening results in microlevel changes in the structure of the material. This, in turn, leads to grain refinement and the increase of compressive residual stresses. After LSP treatment, the surface microhardness value increased by 33% in both as-cast and 3D-printed SS316L alloys with the hardness gradient from surface to subsurfaces. The wear rate of as-cast specimens and 3D-printed specimens were reduced to 1.28 10−6 and 1.14 10−6 g/m, respectively, and tensile value increased up to 22% after LSP treatment. The scanning electron microscopy images on the wear track confirm the vulnerability of the untreated SS316L alloys with adhesion wear and surface delamination. This difference was because the wear rate of the 3D-printed specimens was lesser than the as-cast SS316L alloys due to their layer-by-layer high-temperature finishing. The samples were characterized by optical microstructure to identify the surface refinement, and confirmed by the transmission electron microscope images along with specified area electron diffraction pattern for the accumulation of dislocation and grain refinement after LSP treatment. The accumulated residual stress was measured by X-ray diffraction technique and it found the highest compressive residual stress after LSP treatment was accrued by 3D-printed SS316L alloy with 310 MPa.

The scaling of laser peen forming: A two-experiment finite similitude approach

Laser peen forming (LPF) utilizes laser-induced shock waves to bend and shape metal plates in what is effectively a non-thermal metal-forming process involving no hard tooling. A difficulty with the process, arising from the rapid localized physics involved, is the determination of process conditions for the establishment of desirable process outcomes. The nanosecond physical behaviors induced by the pulsed laser can make simulation impractical, effectively restricting investigations to experiments as the only practical recourse. This paper focuses on the use of scaled experimentation for LPF with the objective of making experimental outcomes more broadly applicable to a wider range of process conditions. Understanding how processes scale can in principle aid in the establishment of process parameters through timely and cost-effective experiments. Scaled experimentation has recently undergone a paradigm shift with the arrival of the finite similitude scaling theory. The theory provides extra degrees of freedom and facilitates the use of unlimited numbers of scaled experiments and allows for anisotropy in plate thickness. It is demonstrated in the work through experimental tests and simulation at two different scales, that geometric and loading similarities can be broken, yet the behavior of LPF can be quantified to good accuracy.

Influence on micro-geometry and surface characteristics of laser powder bed fusion built 17-4 PH miniature spur gears in laser shock peening

Micro-geometrical errors, surface roughness, and surface integrity (microstructure, residual stresses, microhardness) play an important role in defining the quality of the gears as they directly affect their noise, vibration characteristics and service life during their use. In the present work, underwater laser shock peening (LSP) is employed to improve the quality of the laser powder bed fusion built 17-4 PH small-size spur gears (12 mm outside diameter). LSP was employed near the spur gear root, and effects were measured in terms of residual stresses, variation in microgeometry errors, surface roughness, porosity, microstructure, and microhardness. It was observed that LSP could impart compressive residual stresses up to 0.4 mm of measured depth, while the surface roughness has improved by 32%. Microgeometry and microhardness of gears showed minor variations. Additionally, LSP has shown an impact on the microstructure as the grain orientation was altered and grain size reduced by 15.6% due to shock wave transmission. The study paves the way to use LSP as a post-processing technique to modify the surface characteristics of LPBF-built miniature spur gears with minimal impact on the gear microgeometry.

Achieving high strength and ductility of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys via laser shock peening and spray forming

In order to further enhance the strength and ductility of ultra-high strength aluminum alloys, the laser shock peening technology was applied to ultra-high strength Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy. The ultimate tensile strength, elongation and hardness can reach to 751 MPa, 11 % and 208.3 HV by combining spray forming, secondary extrusion, solid solution, retrogression and reaging as well as laser shock peening. The high strength and hardness of the alloys is mainly attributed to the fine-grained layer on surface as well as new grain boundaries, dislocation cells and high-density dislocations introduced by laser shock peening, uniform nano-sized strengthening phases with high density precipitated during heat treatments. The excellent ductility of the alloys is mainly ascribed to multiple structures including fine-grained layer on surface and slip lines inside different grains introduced by laser shock peening, smaller size of fibrous grains and Al7Cu2Fe phase produced by secondary extrusion and spray forming. The aging treatment after laser shock peening can lead to the annihilation of high-density dislocations as well as significantly promote the formation of stable and coarse η phase, which can greatly reduce the strength of the studied alloys.