Effect of combined shot peening and ultrasonic nanocrystal surface modification processes on the fatigue performance of AISI 304

In this study, the fatigue performance of AISI 304 subjected to shot peening (SP), ultrasonic nanocrystal surface modification (UNSM) and the combination of SP + UNSM processes was systematically assessed by rotary bending fatigue (RBF) tester at different stress levels. The purpose of combining SP and UNSM processes is to find out whether SP following UNSM process can further improve the fatigue life of AISI 304 in comparison with the SP and UNSM processes alone. Interestingly, the fatigue strength of AISI 304 was deteriorated by the combination of SP + UNSM processes in comparison with the UNSM process alone, but the combination of SP + UNSM processes demonstrated a higher fatigue strength in comparison with the SP process alone.