Surface modification analysis after shot peening of AA 7075 in different states

The paper deals with the effect of different shot peening (SP) treatment conditions on the ENAW 7075-T651 aluminium alloy. Suitable residual stress profile increases the applicability and life cycle of mechanical parts, treated by shot peening. The objective of the research was to establish the optimal parameters of the shot peening treatment of the aluminium alloy in different precipitation hardened states with regard to residual stress profiles in dynamic loading. Main deformations and main residual stresses were calculated on the basis of electrical resistance. The resulting residual stress profiles reveal that stresses throughout the thin surface layer of all shot peened specimens are of compressive nature. The differences can be observed in the depth of shot peening and the profile of compressive residual stresses. Under all treatment conditions, the obtained maximum value of compressive residual stress ranges between -200 MPa and -300 MPa at a depth between 250 mu m and 300 mu m. Comparison of different temperature of precipitation hardened aluminium alloys shows that changes in the Almen intensity values have greater effect than coverage in the depth and profile of compressive residual stresses. Positive stress ratio of R=0.1 was selected. Wohler curves were determined in the areas of maximum bending loads between 30 - 65 % of material's tensile strength, measured at thinner cross-sections of individual specimens. The results of various states of material fatigue testing differ from the level of shot peening on the surface layer.