LASER PEENING FOR PREVENTION OF FATIGUE FAILURES

Author:  Lahrman, Gaydos
Source:  Conf Proc 2011: ICSP-11 South Bend, IN USA (pgs. 353-358)
Doc ID:  2011059
Year of Publication:  2011
Abstract:  
ABSTRACT Laser peening is an innovative commercially-available surface enhancement process for increasing the fatigue life of metal components. The process produces deep residual compressive stress into treated surfaces, typically five to ten times deeper than conventional metal shot peening. These deep compressive residual stresses inhibit the initiation and propagation of fatigue cracks. Laser peening has been particularly effective in increasing the resistance to fatigue crack propagation initiated from foreign object damage in titanium alloy fan and compressor blades of aircraft gas turbine engines. [1,2,3,4] However, the potential application of this process is much broader, encompassing automotive parts, orthopedic implants, tooling and dies, and others. Significant progress has been made to lower the cost and increase the throughput of the process, making it affordable for numerous applications. This paper reviews the status of laser peening technology, material property enhancements, and potential applications. KEYWORDS Laser shock peening, fatigue, life, residual stress, surface, enhancement