Effect of Laser Shock Peening on Fatigue life of Austenitic stainless steels

Abstract

Laser shock peening (LSP) is an innovative surface treatment technique for strengthening metallic materials. The treatment improves fatigue performance and is achieved by introducing compressive residual stresses into the material surface layer. The compressive stresses are created over a significant surface area by means of high pressure shock waves, which are generated by confining the laser-induced plasma. In the present study, the LSP effect on fatigue life of austenitic stainless steels was investigated by changing the laser parameters. The tested material was austenitic stainless steel 08CH18N10T. The influence of LSP treatment on the fatigue life was examined through the three-point bend fatigue test.