Surface residual stress, micro-hardness and geometry of TC6 titanium alloy thin-wall parts processed by multiple oblique laser shock peening

Abstract

Abstract The titanium alloy thin-walled part with light in weight and high specific strength is widely used in the aviation engine fan, turbine and compressor. The fatigue damage of the thin-walled part often happens under the action of the cyclic loads and high temperatures. Laser shock peening(LSP) is an innovative surface treatment process, which has been used to improve the fatigue life of metallic materials. Considering the shape and size of the thin-walled parts, the TC6 titanium alloy thin-wall parts were treated by the oblique incident laser beam in this work. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of multiple oblique LSP on TC6 titanium alloy thin-wall parts. Nd: YLF laser with a wavelength of 1053 nm was applied. The laser incidence angle was determined first by experiment. The effects of laser energies, impact times, pulse durations and pulse frequencies on the surface residual stress, micro-hardness and geometry of TC6 titanium alloy thin-wall parts were investigated. The results showed that by the use of oblique LSP, the higher surface residual stress and surface micro-hardness could be induced on the surface of treated specimens. However, surface deformation and surface roughness of treated specimens can also increase.