Laser peening is a metalworking process that improves mechanical properties by directing laser pulses at the surface of a metal object. It is similar to shot peening but replaces metal or ceramic balls with laser pulses. The process can improve corrosion resistance, fatigue strength, residual stresses, and wear resistance. Laser peening can be used on many metals and alloys, making it desirable for high-cost parts or where fatigue life is critical. Applications include automotive and aircraft industries, wind turbine blades, and hip implants. Laser-hammered components can also be made thinner and lighter, saving material and energy costs.
Laser peening is a metalworking process in which pulses from a laser are directed at the surface of a metal object to improve its mechanical properties. It is similar to shot peening, which uses very small metal or ceramic balls to bombard the surface of a metal object. The corrosion resistance, fatigue strength, residual stresses and wear resistance of a metal article can generally be improved by laser peening.
Before treatment, a component is prepared for laser peening by applying two coats. First, an opaque laser coating is applied, and then a clear laser coating is applied. The laser is directed through the clear coat but cannot pass through the opaque coat.
At this point, the laser energy vaporizes a layer of this coating. The vapor is trapped between the clear coat and the component surface. As this vapor absorbs more energy from the laser, it heats up and rapidly expands in the small space it is trapped in. The pressure builds rapidly in this area and causes a shock wave to travel through the component. The shock wave rather than the heat of the vapor causes changes to the material properties, so the laser peening process is mechanical rather than thermal.
This process is similar to shot peening, which uses small ceramic or metal spheres, known as pellets, to create many overlapping indentations in the surface of a metal component. These indentations form a surface layer that is highly resistant to mechanical failure modes such as cracking, corrosion and fatigue. Laser peening has similar results but replaces repetitive impacts on shot metal with pulses of light from a high-energy laser.
Many metals and alloys can be machined by laser peening. These include materials such as steels and cast iron, aluminum and titanium alloys, and more. The improved mechanical properties of such materials make laser peening a desirable technique for application in the fabrication of high cost parts or where fatigue life is critical.
Applications that can use laser-hammered parts include fatigue-critical components in the automotive or aircraft industries. Even components that are difficult to transport and maintain, such as large wind turbine blades, can be enhanced with this process to maximize life. Hip implants, which are best replaced as infrequently as possible due to the risks of surgery, can be subjected to this process to extend their life.
Laser hammered components can also be made thinner and lighter due to their improved mechanical characteristics. This saves material costs in the manufacturing process. It can also save costs due to lower energy requirements when operating vehicles or other machinery.
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