Advances in engineered surfaces for functional performance

It is well known that mechanical surface treatments, such as deep rolling, shot peening and laser shock peening, can significantly improve the fatigue behavior of highly-stressed metallic components. Deep rolling (DR) is particularly attractive since it is possible to generate, near the surface, deep compressive residual stresses and work hardened layers while retaining a relatively smooth surface finish. In the present investigation, the effect of DR on the low-cycle fatigue (LCF) and high-cycle fatigue (HCF) behavior of a Ti–6Al–4V alloy is examined, with particular emphasis on the thermal and mechanical stability of the residual stress states and the near-surface microstructures. Preliminary results on laser shock peened Ti–6Al–4V are also presented for comparison. Particular emphasis is devoted to the question of whether such surface treatments are effective for improving the fatigue properties at elevated temperatures up to ∼450 °C, i.e. at a homologous temperature of ∼0.4 T/T m (where T m is the melting temperature). Based on cyclic deformation and stress/life ( S / N ) fatigue behavior, together with the X-ray diffraction and in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations of the microstructure, it was found that deep rolling can be quite effective in retarding the initiation and initial propagation of fatigue cracks in Ti–6Al–4V at such higher temperatures, despite the almost complete relaxation of the near-surface residual stresses. In the absence of such stresses, it is shown that the near-surface microstructures, which in Ti–6Al–4V consist of a layer of work hardened nanoscale grains, play a critical role in the enhancement of fatigue life by mechanical surface treatment.

On the influence of mechanical surface treatments—deep rolling and laser shock peening—on the fatigue behavior of Ti–6Al–4V at ambient and elevated temperatures

The laser shock peening (LSP) process using a Q-switched pulsed laser beam for surface modification has been reviewed. The development of the LSP technique and its numerous advantages over the conventional shot peening (SP) such as better surface finish, higher depths of residual stress and uniform distribution of intensity were discussed. Similar comparison with ultrasonic impact peening (UIP)/ultrasonic shot peening (USP) was incorporated, when possible. The generation of shock waves, processing parameters, and characterization of LSP treated specimens were described. Special attention was given to the influence of LSP process parameters on residual stress profiles, material properties and structures. Based on the studies so far, more fundamental understanding is still needed when selecting optimized LSP processing parameters and substrate conditions. A summary of the parametric studies of LSP on different materials has been presented. Furthermore, enhancements in the surface micro and nanohardness, elastic modulus, tensile yield strength and refinement of microstructure which translates to increased fatigue life, fretting fatigue life, stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and corrosion resistance were addressed. However, research gaps related to the inconsistencies in the literature were identified. Current status, developments and challenges of the LSP technique were discussed.

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Laser Peening Process and Its Impact on Materials Properties in Comparison with Shot Peening and Ultrasonic Impact Peening

The aim of this paper was to address the effects of multiple laser peening and laser peening intensity used in laser shock peening (LSP) on the residual stress, micro-hardness and three-point bending fatigue performance of Ti–6Al–4V alloy. The multiple laser peening was accomplished by using the successive laser shocks at the same spot and the laser peening intensity was changed through changing the number of overlapped laser spots. The microstructure, which was characterized by highly tangled and dense dislocation arrangements due to high strain rate, can be found near the surface of the laser-peened specimen. By comparing with the as-received specimen, high micro-hardness and compressive residual stress were introduced at the surface of the laser-peened specimen. With increasing the number of overlapped laser spots, the fatigue life of the laser-peened specimen increased, reached a local maximum and then decreased. The specimen treated by using three overlapped laser spots exhibited the highest fatigue life. When the number of overlapped laser spots was kept to be three, the LSP treatments with one single laser shock and two successive laser shocks respectively provided a 22.2% and 41.7% increase in the fatigue strength as compared with the as-received specimens.

Improvement of fatigue life of Ti–6Al–4V alloy by laser shock peening

Underwater and water-assisted laser processing: Part 1—general features, steam cleaning and shock processing

Surface prestressing to improve fatigue strength of components by laser shot peening

A method and apparatus are provided for forming shapes and contours in metal sections by generating laser induced compressive stress on the surface of the metal workpiece. The laser process can generate deep compressive stresses to shape even thick components without inducing unwanted tensile stress at the metal surface. The precision of the laser-induced stress enables exact prediction and subsequent contouring of parts. A light beam of 10 to 100 J/pulse is imaged to create an energy fluence of 60 to 200 J/cm2 on an absorptive layer applied over a metal surface. A tamping layer of water is flowed over the absorptive layer. The absorption of laser light causes a plasma to form and consequently creates a shock wave that induces a deep residual compressive stress into the metal. The metal responds to this residual stress by bending.

Contour forming of metals by laser peening

Laser peening technology

A method for laser shock processing a device, including a metallic body having a surface, comprises conformally applying a compliant solid material to the first region on the surface of the metallic body and applying a layer of ablative material to the second region on the surface of the metallic body. A damping liquid is flowed over the layer of ablative material. An array of pulses of laser energy is directed through the damping fluid to impact the layer of ablative material on the surface and peen the surface in the second region. The pulses induce pressure waves within the metallic body which propagate to the surface in the first region. The compliant solid material acts as a momentum trap, so that the acoustic waves are at least partially coupled into the compliant solid material and attenuated outside of the metallic body.

Laser shock processing with momentum trap

A laser peening method and system allows the work piece to be fixed, while moving and directing the laser beam. A laser energy delivery system includes a relay imaging system. Input optics arranged to receive the laser energy, a transmitting mirror having adjustable angle of incidence relative to the input optics, and a robot mounted processing head including an optical assembly are configured to direct laser energy toward the movable target image plane. The laser energy follows an optical path including an essentially straight segment from the transmitting mirror to the receiving mirror, having a variable length and a variable angle relative to the input optics. Diagnostics on the processing head facilitate operation.

Fritz B. Harris

Papers

Surface prestressing to improve fatigue strength of components by laser shot peening

Contour forming of metals by laser peening

Laser peening technology

Laser shock processing with momentum trap

Active beam delivery system for laser peening and laser peening method