Effect of power density and pulse repetition on laser shock peening of Ti-6Al-4V

Laser shock peening (LSP) was applied to Ti-6Al-4V (wt. %) simulated airfoil specimens using a Nd:Glass laser. Laser shock peening processing parameters examined in the present study included power density (5.5, 7, and 9 GW/cm(2)) and number of laser pulses per spot (one and three pulses/spot). The LSP'd Ti-6Al-4V samples were examined using x-ray diffraction techniques to determine the residual stress distribution and percent cold work as a function of depth. It was found that the residual stress state and percent of cold work were relatively independent of LSP power density. However, the number of laser pulses per spot had a significant effect on both residual stress and percent of cold work for a given power density level. In addition, there was a strong correlation between the magnitude of residual compressive stresses generated and the percent cold work measured.