The effect of laser shock peening on surface characteristics of titanium alloy

Laser shock peening is an effective surface technology for improving the surface mechanical properties of metals. Many studies have been performed to process different kinds of metallic material that can induce compressive residual stress in the top layer of samples, which would extend the fatigue life of metal parts in the industry. The titanium alloy samples are treated by laser shock peening with water layer as constraint layer and without protective coating in this research, after which the titanium alloy samples are observed and analyzed with a scanning electron microscope, hardness tester, laser confocal microscope, and wear tester. The surface roughness, surface microstructure, and other properties of untreated and treated titanium alloy are compared to study the effect on titanium alloy of laser shock peening process without protective coating.