Effect of Laser Peening with a Microchip Laser on Fatigue Life in Butt-Welded High-Strength Steel

Laser peening introduces compressive residual stresses on the surfaces of various materials and is effective in enhancing fatigue strength. Using a small microchip laser, with energies of 5, 10, and 15 mJ, the authors applied laser peening to the base material of an HT780 high-strength steel, and confirmed compressive residual stresses in the near-surface layer. Laser peening with a pulse energy of 15 mJ was then applied to fatigue samples of an HT780 butt-welded joint. It was confirmed that laser peening with the microchip laser prolonged the fatigue life of the welded joint samples to the same level as in previous studies with a conventional laser.